


LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 


UNITED STATES OF AMEtUCA. J 




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' MAMMA’S BUDGET; 

OR, 

failg fusing for 

THE TWO BROTHERS 
SUSAN HAWTHORNE 

AND 

A GOOD GRANDSON. 

BY 

THE CHILD’S FRIEND. 

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IFfrst Stmcrfcan from t&e 2T|Rrtr HitqUsIi HETntfoit. 


PHILADELPHIA: 4 

H AYE S & ZELL. 
LONDON: WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1857 . 







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Hlamma’js f utipi 


THE TWO brothers; 

or. 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP-GATHERERS. 


THE CHILD’S FRIEND. 


jffxst American from tf)e STfjfrtr 3Enfllts|) H&ftton. 


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SO. 


6zry. 

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PHILADELPHIA: 

HATES & ZELL. 

LONDON : WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1857. 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
HAYES & ZELL, 

in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 


STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. 


PREFACE 


TO THE 

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION OF MAMMA’S BUDGET. 


The following little work having met with a 
favorable reception from the children of Old 
England, its author has been induced to present 
it in a revised and enlarged form, to the mil- 
lions of ‘Young America/ in full confidence 
that they will grant the stranger a kindly wel- 
come, and a home in their library. 

Parents and Teachers who are in want of 
instructive and amusing books for those under 
their charge, are earnestly invited ‘to examine 
this little work, which aims to inculcate the best 
feelings — the highest principles. 

It might at first sight appear almost pre- 
sumptuous to suppose that there is yet room for 
an addition to our juvenile literature ; but all 
who are interested in the education of young 
people, know that the love of reading is an 
ever-increasing appetite; and that instructive 
and amusing books, based on sound, moral and 
religious principles, are never too numerous. 


OPINIONS OF THE ENGLISH PRESS 


ON 


MAMMA’S BUDGET. 


“ The design of these pretty little Reading books 
is “ to inculcate love for whatever is useful aud excel- 
lent, and to impress on the minds of the rising gene- 
ration, the necessity of Christian principles and pro- 
fession, being exhibited in feelings and acts of kind- 
ness and gentleness.” The style, manner, and sub- 
ject of these works fully sustain their professed 
design.” — Sunday School Teacher’s Magazine and 
Journal of Commerce. (England.) 

6( A little Volume containing three pleasantly writ- 
ten Tales. They are likely to prove entertaining to 
children, and at the same time to inculcate useful 
moral lessons.” — Bristol Mercury. (England.) 

“ These Stories are very natural and pretty ; they 
are neatly got up, and are embellished with wood 
cuts.” — The Church Warder and Domestic Maga- 
zine. (England.) 














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THE TWO BROTHERS; 

OK, THE 

LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


CHAPTER I. 



COLD windy 
day towards 
the end of 
April, had suc- 
ceeded to wea- 
ther that had 
for a week 
past, rather re- 
sembled such 
as we common- 
ly experience 
ill June, than the more fickle temperature 
so frequently met with during our spring 
months; several showers had prevented 
little Alice from taking her usual exercise 
in the morning ; but about three o’clock, 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 


the clouds dispersed, and though still blus- 
tering and disagreeable, Mrs. Grantham, her 
grandmother, and at whose house she was 
on a visit, desired her maid Bentley, to pre- 
pare the child for a walk, and advised her 
grand -daughter to go arid trundle the hoop 
up and down on the downs, immediately 
in front of their pretty villa. Alice would 
have preferred remaining within doors, 
working at a slipper she had commenced 
for her Papa, and listening to a story Mrs. 
Grantham had been reading to her, about 
two poor orphans ; but she remembered how 
often her mamma had told her that child- 
ren should obey, without raising objections 
to the orders and wishes of their elders; so, 
merely expressing regret that they had not 
had time to finish the tale, and that it was 
too cold for her to hope for the society of her 
grandmother on the downs, Alice put away 
her work neatly, and hastened away to get 
ready, that she might not detain Bentley 
longer than necessary from the sewing. 
Before leaving the house, she ran into the 
drawing-room to kiss her grandmother. 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

when this latter kindly smiling on her 
cheerful countenance, observed: — 

“Alice, my dear, when your mamma ask- 
* ed me to have you at Clifton for a couple of 
months, she assured me I should find 
you a very obedient child; and I can say 
with sincere pleasure, that during the fort- 
night you have already spent here, I have 
found you a very good little girl: for a 
moment, I did fear that you were about 
to object to going out this afternoon, but 
after an instant’s struggle between duty and 
inclination, I was glad to see the complete 
triumph of the former over the latter : not 
only did you go off without making useless 
objections, but you went off at once, and 
cheerfully. Heaven grant, my child, that 
you may always thus prevail over your evil 
passions — And now, what little gratification 
can I afford you this evening ? — You need 
not remain out above an hour, and then 
you can return, and I will conclude the 
story ; or, I have been thinking, would you 
like the young Hayworths to be invited for 
a couple of hours'? you have frequently 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

seen them on your former visits here; and 
they returned last night from London : 
Mary and Emma are nearly of your own 

age.” 

“ Thank you, dear grandmamma, I should 
like nothing better than to see them again : 
I was very much disappointed when mamma 
told me I should not find them here, and I 
was going to ask her to let me come some 
other time, but I heard papa say I ought to 
leave home at once, and then I knew it was 
useless to speak to mamma on the subject, 
though I could not understand why father 
thinks Oak Earm too cold for me during 
the spring months. Do you think if I were 
to ask for them, Mrs. Hayworth would let 
Emma and Mary come out with me \ we 
should have such a nice race.” 

“ I know not, indeed, but you can try. 
Ask Bentley to be so good as to go with 
you, and here is a shilling you can spend in 
some cakes for a tea-party, which you will 
of course have on your return from your 
race.” 

“ Oh, this will be delightful indeed : 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


Bentley and I will go to the confectioner’s, 
whilst they are getting ready to come out 
and away ran Alice, to inform Bentley of 
her grandmother's wishes. 

On their obtaining Mrs. Hayworth’s con- 
sent to Emma and Mary’s accompanying 
Alice, Edward begged so hard to be of the 
party, that his mamma consented, on condi- 
tion of the three girls promising to take 
care of him ; but Alice found that she must 
defer purchasing the cakes until later, as 
Bentley wanted to hasten home to finish 
half an hour’s work that was wanted before 
her mistress could dress for dinner. 

So the children played on the green — - 
sometimes they would all race after each 
other, at other times one of them would 
trundle Alice’s hoop, whilst another would 
toss up Edward’s ball. They never wearied 
of play till past five o’clock, when suddenly 
Alice recollected her cakes, and having in- 
formed her companions of the necessity of 
their seeking Bentley to make the required 
purchase, they turned their steps home- 
wards. As they approached Mrs. Gran- 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 


tham’s gate, a poor boy with a large basket 
of cowslips begged them to buy a bunch of 
his pretty yellow flowers : the children, 
however, had no pennies to spend on the $ 
contents of his basket, for they had only the 
shilling with which they were going to buy t 
their cakes, and they had already decided to ( 
purchase three different kinds, which would 
use up every farthing of their money ; so, 
good-humouredly telling the lad they did 
not want any flowers, they hurried to the 
house, and Alice having called Bentley, 
they again sallied forth to make the pur- 
chases for their tea. This being done, they 
returned to Mrs. Grantham’s, but on again 
drawing near the gate, Bentley desired them 
all to run in, as she had forgotten to execute 
a commission her mistress had given her, 
and she had to go back to the shop they 
had just left. 

f The next moment, Edward, who had run 
forward, screamed out, “ look here ! look 
here ! ” at the same time holding up a cou- 
ple of bunches of beautiful cowslips. 

“ Where did you get them 'l ” cried out 


Frank offering his Cowslips for Sale. 




, 

' 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

the girls, hastening up to him, when they 
immediately beheld the basket they had 
previously seen the little boy carrying.” 

“ Where can the lad be?” said Alice, 
j “So strange of him to leave his flowers 
" here.” 

“ He cannot be far off, I should think,” 
answered Emma, “ perhaps he has gone up 
to the house to enquire if any one will buy 
from him there.” 

“ But how silly to leave his treasures here 
in the road ; so careless of him ! ” 

“Here he is, here he is, said Edward, 
running back from the shrubbery which led 
from the gate to the house, and where he 
had gone, on Mary’s beginning to speak.” 

“ Where, where,” cried all the girls ; 
“ asleep on the grass, behind the old chest- 
nut tree : he never stirred when I went 
near him : there he is, there, see ! ” and 
the children beheld the little sleeper ; he 
was lying at full length on the soft turf, his 
arms serving for a pillow, his hat had fallen 
off, and a profusion of light curly hair, 
blown aside by the gentle breeze, exhibited 


THE TWO BROTHERS ; OR, 

a forehead as fair as its proportions were 
well formed. The little fellow slept soundly. 

“ How pale he looks ;” said Emma: “ he 
did not look thus, when he spoke to us.” 

“No, he looked rosy then; but now, he 
not only appears pale — he is skin and 
bone!” 

“Just look at his fingers, Alice, dear; he 
does not seem to have a bit of flesh either 
on them, or on his cheeks : poor child, liovv 
tired he must be, to sleep so quietly.” 

“Yes, and we all talking ! and so much 
noise in the road, and on the downs this 
evening. I could not sleep so fast, were 
I in his place : but what has made him so 
pale all of a sudden, I am afraid he must 
be very ill.” 

“ No, no, Edward ; I fancy, that when he 
appeared so rosy to us, he was only heated : 
lie ran quickly to get near us, and that large 
basket must b£ very heavy.” 

“ I never thought of that, Emma ; but 
what can we do, we ought to go in ; grand- 
mamma will be expecting us, it is getting 
late, and yet I do not like to leave this poor 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

bov asleep here, and his flowers outside the 
gate”.* 

“ No indeed, some one may steal his cow- 
slips, and then when he wakes up, he will 
be so disappointed. Could not we and 
Mary help each other to bring the basket 
within the gates? I think we might, though 
it is so very large.” 

“ But you forget, Emma, that he is losing 
his time, he may sleep on here for an hour, 
and then it will be nearly dark, and he will 
find no one about to whom he can sell his 
flowers, and they will not be so fresh 
to-morrow.” 

“ It would be a pity to wake him out of 
such a sound sleep:” expostulated Edward. 
But he expressed himself in so loud a tone, 
that the object of his remark began to 
move, and turning round on his side with- 
out opening his eyes, he murmured a few 
broken sentences, such as, only one penny 
all to-day — \ have only sold — only two — 
two bunches — I must, must, sell the rest — 
and here, he would have again dropped off 
to sleep, but Alice gently touched his arm, 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

saying kindly as she did so: “ little boy, you 
have left your basket of cowslips in the 
road, you will be losing them, wake up, and 
try and sell them.” 

The child started to his feet at once, and 
blushing deeply, began stammering out an 
apology for his having fallen asleep on their 
turf; he moved towards the gate as he 
spoke: but Alice seeing him walk as though 
he were still tired, said : — • 

“ You appear fatigued yet ; how have 
you been so tired to-day ?” 

“Please my little lady, I went off early 
this morning, but I could not get cowslips 
enough to fill my basket, until I had walk- 
ed a distance of seven miles ; Tommy was 
with me, and he got so fatigued before we 
got back again, that I was obliged to carry 
his basket as well as my own. I have been 
out all day.’* 

“And who is Tommy, pray?” cried 
Emma. “My little brother. Miss; he is 
quite young.” 

“ How old is he ?” asked Edward. “ Nine 
years old last month, young master; but he 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHEREPS. 

is not so strong as other boys of his age 
are; lie had scarlet fever last winter, and he 
has never been quite well since. Dame 
Hill says he will not get well she thinks 
and here, a tear gathered in either eye, but 
was hastily brushed away. 

“ And who is dame Hill ?” demanded 
Edward, as he felt in his pocket for a couple 
of walnuts he just remembered his mother 
had given him that morning, and which he 
thought might as well be given for little 
Tommy as be eaten by himself. “ Who is 
this dame Hill that thinks your brother will 
not get well V* 

“ Please, sir, she is a very good old wo- 
man with whom Tommy and I live.” 

“ But why do you not live at home with 
your father and mother ?” 

“ Oh sir, father and mother have been 
dead many years ; at least, I can only just 
recollect father, he must have been dead 
nearly seven years since ; and mother caught 
a severe cold some three years ago, and then 
followed father.” 

“ And who has taken care of you two 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

ever since your mother’s death?” continued 
Mary. “ Have you lived with dame Hill all 
this time, nearly three years?” 

“ Yes, indeed, miss : though very poor, 
she ottered to let us sleep in a closet she has, 
and said we might have the good of what- 
ever little firing she might contrive to get, 
and she promised she would never turn us 
off, so long as I could manage to procure 
food sufficient for Tommy and myself.” 

“But you are too young to get food 
for yourself and your brother,” urged Alice. 

“ No, Miss, I am not so young as I 
look. I was eleven years old last Novem- 
ber.” 

fc£ And have you always had enough for 
yourself and Tommy to eat?” said Emma, 
surprised that a boy only two years older 
than herself, could obtain by his own work 
food for himself and lhs little brother; “quite 
enough to eat V’ 

“ We could often have eaten more, miss, 
but we have managed very comfortably on 
the whole, until Tommy caught the feyer : 
then I lost a good deal of time in nursing 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

him, at least, I could not earn so much 
money as formerly ; and since that time, I 
have not felt so strong myself, and dame 
Hill says Tommy wants nourishing food, and 
I cannot get him enough, I am afraid, but 
I do not like to part with him.” 

“ Part with him !” exclaimed the children 
in one breath, “ why part with him ?” 

“ The neighbours say, that if I would let 
him go into the house , he would obtain 
better food than I can get for him, but he 
cries if I speak of letting him go there.” 

“ But your brothers crying at the thought 
of leaving you, should not deter you from 
following the advice of your neighbours, 
when they speak so wisely. Perhaps your 
sending Tommy to the workhouse may be 
the means of saving his life ; he probably 
requires more food than you can give him.” 

The children turned towards Mrs. 
Grantham, as she stepped out from her 
drawing room window on to the piece of 
lawn. She had, unknown to the little 
party outside, heard much of the foregoing 
conversation, having been sitting behind the 


THE TWO BROTHERS; Oil, 

Venetian blinds : and her benevolent feel- 
ings were quickly interested in the poor 
little fellow who stood trembling before her, 
for the wind was high and very cold, whilst 
the boy, whose story had so touched the 
kind hearts of his sympathizing hearers, was 
very scantily clad, though his dress was ex- 
tremely clean, and much patched. 

Alice and Edward now vied with each 
other in endeavouring to prove to the kind 
old lady the cruelty of its being expected 
that the elder brother should send the young 
one from him. Mrs. Grantham good-hum- 
ouredly answered, 

“ I am very sorry my advice don't please 
you : I am afraid I shall be considered 
cruel, in recommending that we should no 
longer continue on this turf, which is rather 
damp after this morning’s rain ; and further, 
if I dared, I would humbly recommend 
that we retire within doors, for I am certain 
it is both too late and too cold for Alice to 
continue exposed to this chilly atmosphere. 
I hope no offence." 

A gay laugh from Alice and the Hay- 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHEPEPS. 


worths followed the above speech, but the 
next instant they all looked anxiously at the 
little stranger, when Edward, who stood 
nearest to Mrs. Grantham, said in a low 
voice, “ But this poor boy 1 what will become 
of him then ? and his poor little brother \ ” 

“ I will invite him to come in also, and we 
will talk over his affairs quietly. I do not like 
being out this disagreeable evening, and I 
dare say you also will not object to the 
warmth of a good fire, and a bowl of bread 
and milk ; pray what is your name, my 
little man? I always like to know the 
names of those I speak with,” added Mrs. 
Grantham in a kind voice, as she motioned 
to the boy to enter her house. The latter 
bowed most gratefully, as he replied, 46 My 
name is Francis Wentworth, ma'am : neigh- 
bours generally call me Frank, but Tommy 
always calls me brother Frank.” 

44 But the basket ! the basket !” cried out 
several of the children, as they saw Francis 
crossing the threshold, without apparently 
thinking of his property. 

44 My cowslips ! please ma’am, excuse me 


THU TWO BROTHERS. 


one moment, whilst I go and fetch them ” 
and Frank, having ran down the steps with 
this view, was quickly followed by Edward, 
who insisted on helping him, though the 
young gentleman was far more likely to 
mar than forward the task ! However, the 
basket of cowslips was brought within the 
garden gate, and safely placed beneath the 
tree where their little owner had so lately 
obtained a sound sleep. In the mean time 
Mrs. Grantham had informed her old man- 
servant, Wilcox, of the expected guest, and 
when the two boys entered the library, a 
large bowl of new milk, and a huge slice of 
home-made bread, stood on a small table 
near the window, where a chair had been 
placed by Alice, for the little hungry boy. 



CHAPTER II. 


RANK was soon seat- 
ed at his post, and the 
children prepared to 
arrange their evening 
meal ; for their antici- 
pated pleasure consist- 
ed mainly in spreading 
bread and butter, put- 
ting the cakes in their respective dishes, 
making the tea, and setting forth to the best 
advantage a new service of china, which had 
been presented to Alice by her papa on the 
day of her leaving home. These different 
matters occupied their time for a full quarter 
of an hour, Edward being employed by each 
in turn ; when Alice, who by Mrs. Gran- 
tham’s advice had left Frank to eat his 
supper in quiet during the interval, now 
advanced to his chair to see if he would 
have anything more ; but what was Her 
surprise to lind that he had made away with 



THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

scarcely a fourth ot‘ the bread, whilst the 
bowl was nearly as full of milk as in the 
first instance : and yet he still kept nibbling 
at his bread, and sipping the rich beverage 
that stood so temptingly before him. 

“ Why you have eaten nothing, hardly, 
Frank, nor drank your milk.” 

These exclamations brought the rest of 
the party to the spot at once. 

“ Is not the milk good, Frank ? the 
weather is damp to-day,” urged Emma, as, 
with a spoon she held in her hand, she took 
a few drops to taste. “ Excellent ! why do 
you not drink it, and eat vour nice piece of 
bread?” 

“ Perhaps he don't like milk,” said Mary, 
who was not very partial to it herself. 

“ Oh yes, young ladies, I like it very 
much indeed:” interrupted Frank. 

“You would perhaps like a cake,” put in 
Edward, as he hurried off* in direction 
of the tea table, to obtain one for the poor 
boy. 

“ No sir, no ! ” cried Frank ; evidently 
distressed at the mere suspicion that he 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

should not be quite satisfied with what had 
been provided him: “ indeed, young master, 
the bread is the best I have tasted this long 
time, and the milk too, only — only — ” and 
here, Frank hesitated, as though unable to 
explain himself; when fortunately, to the 
relief of all parties, Mrs. Grantham having 
dined, appeared within the door. 

‘‘Grandmamma, he has eaten nothing, 
scarcely cried Alice, on seeing her venera- 
ble relative come into the room; and Emma 
says the milk is excellent, and Frank says 
the bread is the best he has eaten this long 
time ; then, why does he keep them stand- 
ing there, as though the milk were sour and 
the bread hard ? and we have been so busy, 
thinking he was eating his supper all the 
time! and Alice stopped speaking for want 
of breath ; when Frank, who had risen on 
Mrs. Grantham’s entrance, now advanced 
towards the spot where she stood, surround- 
ed by the children : — “If you please ma’am, 
I have eaten a tolerable good supper.” 

“ But you were hungry, so why have you 
taken a tolerable , instead of a very good 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

supper, my little man V’ demanded his kind 
questioner ; for, from his hesitating manner, 
and his varying countenance, she at once 
perceived, that there was a something which 
he either could not, or did not like to ex 
plain; but summoning courage, he began: — 
“ Indeed ma’am, I would have eaten more, 
only — only I just thought, that if I did not 
eat up all the bread, and drink all the 
milk, you might perhaps — perhaps, let me 
take it home for poor little Tommy.” 

A pause of a couple of minutes ensued, 
after Frank’s avowal — the four children 
were silenced by a combined feeling of ad- 
miration at the boy’s fraternal affection, and 
of wonder at the necessity of its display in 
such a manner ; for though they had often 
heard of poverty, never had it been so 
forcibly presented to their notice, as at the 
present moment; whilst Mrs. Grantham 
was rapidly considering in her mind, how 
the scene might be turned to the greatest 
'advantage of all parties concerned. Having 
decided, she replied: — “Well Frank, you 
can take it home if you like ; I do not how- 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

ever think you have as yet taken a fair 
portion for yourself! but no matter, you can 
take a little more with your brother, I sup- 
pose, if you like/' 

“ But dear grandmamma, Frank is hun- 
gry, I know he is ; surely he ought to eat 
that bread and milk himself! it was meant 
for him,” 

“1 could eat three times as much as 
he has taken ! little fellow as I am and 
Master Edward Hayworth eyed with great 
contempt, the remaining bread and milk : 
when Mrs. Grantham mildly observed : — 
“But if he would rather give what remains 
to his young brother, I imagine you would 
not be so cruel as to forbid his doing 
so.” 

“No, no, certainly not, dear grand- 
mamma, only — only, I was thinking;” — 
and Alice looked from one to the other 
of her young companions in silence. 

“What were you thinking about? some- 
thing about us, I am sure,” said Emma, 
who had been watching the puzzled expres- 
sion of Alice’s countenance. 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

“ I have it! 1 have it!” exclaimed Mary: 
“ it is about the cakes, is it not ? ” 

“ Why yes,” answered Alice with a smile ; 
“ I was thinking, if I dare propose, that we 
should give up part of our cakes for 
Tommy.” 

“And this loaf of bread,” chimed in 
Edward; “Wilcox will bring us another.” 

“ Stop, if you please, young ladies and 
gentleman ! ” observed Mrs. Grantham : “I 
cannot allow of that loaf of bread being 
given away, because you must all have some 
supper, as w T ell as Frank and his brother , 
I have given away all I can to night, not 
only have I provided suppers for you five 
young people, but there are two little girls 
expected momentarily in the kitchen, to 
whom I have promised a shilling’s worth 
of meat, for their poor old mother, who is a 
great invalid : but I tell you what I can 
allow, and that is, that you should give away 
the cakes, the bread and butter you have 
spread so nicely, and also the sugar, with 
which I see Bentley has filled your sugar- 
bowl. These 1 am willing you should give 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

away, they are not necessaries to you, and 
you can exist for one night on plain bread 
and milk, if you choose to do so. Are you 
all agreed V* 

“ But grandmamma, how can we drink 
tea without sugar? ” 

“ Oh, I forgot the tea ! but why not 
drink it without sugar? many people do so: 
or, which would be the wiser plan, you can 
give it away also : I dare say Frank has 
rarely tasted it, and though not particularly 
good for him or his brother, they may for 
once like to enjoy such a luxury; what do 
you say Frank ? ” 

“ Thank you ma’am, kindly; but I would 
not deprive the young ladies and this little 
gentleman of all their good things, this nice 
bread and milk will do very well indeed for 
Tommy, and 1 have already eaten enough.” 

“But you could eat more, I am sure, 
were it not for your brother,” said Alice. 

“ Perhaps, Miss, I might; but then I took 
a penny as we were returning to town ; a 
gentleman bought a couple of bunches for 
two little girls lie was driving in a pony- 


THE TWO brothers; ok, 

carriage : with this I can buy more bread 
if we want it.” 

“ And is that penny all the money you 
have, my poor boy ?” asked Emma. 

Yes, my young lady, all I have to-night, 
but to-morrow we will be put early, calling 
our cowslips, and I hope we shall make as 
much as a whole shilling in the course of 
the day, or perhaps even more. But I 
forgot ! we met a gentleman and lady walk- 
ing by the church, and their little dog 
caught hold of Tommy’s dress, so the lady 
kindly gave him a halfpenny.” 

“ How many bunches have you got ? ” 
demanded Mary. 

“ I have twenty-four in my own basket, 
little Miss ; and Tommy’s holds about 
eighteen ; but sometimes, when any one 
buys a large quantity for wine, we let them 
have the cowslips for less than a halfpenny a 
bunch; I would willingly let the whole w^e 
have, go for fifteen or eighteen pence. We 
could then go off and gather more at once.” 

“ And do you always go so far as you did 
to day l ” asked Edward. 


• -'i* 











-. A * 






























THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

“Yes, sir; or we should not get fine 
cowslips ; the fields nearer town have 
been visited so often, that there are now 
few good ones to be found in them.” 

“And are you certain these are the 
kind used for the making of wine?” 

“ Oh, yes, sir ; I gather no others.” 

“'Are there more than one kind of cow- 
slips, Edward ?” 

“Yes, Alice; but only one that is used 
for wine.” 

“ Did you know that, Mary ?” 

“Not till last month, Alice; when our 
cousin Eustace having given Edward a 
little book, the latter found in it a short 
description of the common cowslip, on 
which he kindly joined Emma and my- 
self in our pretty bower, and explained to 
us what he had read.” 

“ I fear I did not pay much attention, 
Mary ; I was so busy sorting the flowers 
for mammas bouquet. You two seemed 
much interested in the subject ; one thing 
I remarked, there were several very hard 
words.” 


THE TWO brothers; or, 


“Ah, the hard words I could not have 
understood, but for the explanations of 
Eustace, who occasionally helped me to 
make their meaning clear to Mary.” 

“ And where are these cowslips mostly 
found?” 

“ They are very plentiful in meadows 
and pastures of England, and in some 
parts of Europe ; but only on a soil of clay 
or marie, Alice.” 

“ What is marie ?” 

“Eustace said it was a kind of clay, 
Emma” 

“ Are they in flower all the summer, 
Edward ?” 

“ Oh, no, Alice ; only in April or May.” 

“ And have they no cowslips in Ame- 
rica, Edward ?” 

“Oh, yes, Emma; but the American 
cowslip is quite different from ours, and it 
is not fit for wine.” 

“ What part of the cowslip is used for 
wine, Mary?” 

“ The blossoms, Alice.” 

“ You walk far for your cowslips.” 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

" Generally speaking, sir ; but I have 
never before taken Tommy such a distance ; 
and I will not again do so, till he is strong- 
er; when we have sold off one basket-full, I 
shall leave him to sell the other, w hilst I can 
go off, and gather another supply. This 
will be the best plan.” 

“ Grandmamma, do you never have cow- 
slip-wine made ? ” whispered Alice. 

“ Every year, my dear, till the present 
one ; but I have had so many calls on my 
purse for charitable purposes, within the last 
seven months, that I decided to do without 
all home-made wines this year.” 

“ What a pity ! would it not have been 
fortunate, if we could have taken all his 
cow r slips for wine, this evening Frank might 
have taken home eighteen pence ] ” 

“ Well, if you and your little friends are 
willing to deprive yourselves of your cakes, 
sugar, and bread and butter ; I will under- 
take to pay Frank his eighteenpence. But 
consider well, before you decide. Can you 
eat a bread and milk supper, contentedly, at 
what was intended to be a Tea Party ? ” 


THE rwo BEOTHEItS; OB, 

“ Oh, yes,” answered several of the child- 
ren, laughing ; “ but” added Alice, “ what 
can you do, dear Grandmamma, with these 
simple cakes, and the sugar” — “ and the 
bread and butter, too ! ” interrupted Ed- 
ward, laughing heartily. 

“ Oh, do not be uneasy on that score 
replied Mrs. Grantham ; u these little cakes 
I shall give, to the little girls who are now 
below, waiting for their mother’s meat; they 
will be a change to her, poor woman, and 
we want to tempt her appetite — the sugar 
can go back to my sugar box, whilst the 
bread and butter, I shall give to Frank as 
a present from myself : pray, are you now 
satisfied with the way in which I mean to 
dispose of your late property ? ” and the old 
lady looked with a smile on her young 
listeners. 

“Quite satisfied, ’’responded several voices : 
“but Mrs. Grantham,” observed Emma, “I 
suppose Frank is to have the tea ; would it 
not be better for a little sugar l he may not 
like the taste of tea perhaps.” 

“Then he need not drink it, but what 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

say you Frank ? have you tasted tea? ” 
“Very rarely, ma’am ; and I could drink 
it very well without sugar, especially with 
this good milk ; but if that tea is given to 
me, I shall not drink it myself, but I shall 
take it to Dame Hill, who is very fond of it, 
and can rarely afford to purchase any; 
I know that she has some sugar.” 

“And pray, how do you know that she 
happens to have sugar? ” 

“ Because ma’am, I bought her a quarter 
of a pound last night, with the remaining 
half-pence I had after buying our supper : 
she has not been very well these few days, 
and fancied a little gruel, which I knew she 
would like better, if it had a little sugar in 
it — but she very seldom buys it.” 

“Well then, I shall beg to add to your 
tea, a pound of brown sugar, which you can 
give as your own present ; for, but for you, 
I should not have given it.” 

“ But ma’am, it is not my present, but 
yours ; and Dame Hill will be so glad.” 

“ Then here is your eighteen pence,” and 
Mrs. Grantham counted out the money. 


THE TWO BROTHERS ; OR, 

" Now I should much like to know what 
you intend doing with it? but of course 
you need not tell me unless you like.” 

“ Oh ma’am, this eighteen pence, I shall 
keep if possible, till I have sufficient to buy 
Tommy a pair of stout shoes. The bread 
and milk here will make us an excellent 
supper, and we can start in the morning to 
our work with a halfpenny roll a-piece, as 
soon as we have brought you the other 
basket of cowslips. We will eat our dinner 
when I have gathered some more cowslips 
and sold some. I shall leave Tommy to 
help dame Hill.” 

“ But your shoes are full of holes,” observ- 
ed Mrs. Grantham. “ You want new ones.” 

“ Yes, ma’am, but I can wait a little 
longer ; Tommy has none, for I have never 
been able to buy him but two pair, and 
they are quite worn out.” 

“ But two pair cannot have lasted him all 
these years. What has he done?” 

“ Without, ma’am, great part of the time, 
and as long as he could stay at home in bad 
weather, it did not so much signify, but now 





































i . • 

* - * 

► 





•; 



















, ; 4 . ; ■ 



• 










- 






















■ 





























THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


he has to work, and he must have shoes, for 
he very easily takes cold. Where shall f 
put the cowslips, ma’am? or would you 
rather that I leave them in the basket to- 
night, they will keep very well where they 
are, I think.” 

“ Then leave them as they are. You can 
take your basket when you bring the other 
cowslips ; here is a pitcher in which you 
can take your milk, the bread and butter 
you can put in your pocket.” 

“But how will he take the tea ? the tea 
for Mrs. Hill.” 

“ Ah ! I had nearly forgotten that, Ed- 
ward. Bun and ask Wilcox for a common 

jug. ...there, that will do admirably. 

Now bring both back to-morrow morning 
when you come with your basket of cowslips.” 

“Many thanks, ma’am, many thanks, 
young ladies, and you too, young master, 
for all your kindness ; neither Tommy nor 
I shall forget it.” 

And Frank left, laden with his provisions, 
but not until Mrs. Grantham had ascertained 
where Mrs. Hill resided. 


CHAPTER III. 


HE children did not 
separate without its 
being decided that 
each should try and 
think of some means 
which might tend 
to better the condition of the orphan 
boys; Mrs. Grantham saying she would 
willingly share any expense necessary to 
carry out their project. 

The following morning, long before Alice 
was awake, Prank and Tommy had brought 
the cowslips and pitchers, when they took 
away both their baskets, and whilst Prank 
had turned towards the country, liis young- 
er brother had sorrowfully bent his steps 
homewards in a contrary direction. This 
was all the information Alice could obtain 
of Wilcox, who kindly answered her innum- 
erable inquiries with the utmost possible 
patience. In the evening, the Hayworths 
made their appearance, saying, their mamma 
would take as many as eight shillings’ worth 



THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


of cowslips, for wine, but they were to tell 
Frank that they must be picked as quickly 
as possible, for their housekeeper wished to 
make the whole at once. Alice exclaimed, 

“Oh Grandmamma! what a pity Tommy 
cannot help him : how I wish we could ! do 
you not think we could walk as far as Frank, 
Grandmamma ? ” 

“ No, my dear, certainly not. You are 
none of you accustomed to such long walks, 
but I am willing to spare Bentley for a day, 
and to provide donkey carriages to convey 
you to the cowslip fields and back again ; 
on condition that you do not merely make a 
play of it, but work as hard at filling your 
baskets as you can without over-fatigue; 
otherwise it is a pity to spend so much 
money.” 

“But indeed, dear grandmamma, you 
may depend on our being industrious ; will 
we not work hard, Emma? but, can you all 
get leave for to-morrow ? ” 

“May I not run home and ask mam- 
mar’ cried the eager Edward. 

“ Yes, my dear ; and tell your mamma. 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

that my maid Bentley will accompany the 
party; so that she will have no cause for 
uneasiness.” 

“ Grandmamma, we might take Tommy 
with us, might we not ? ” 

“ I think so, he might sit in front with 
one of the drivers, Edward must sit with the 
other, and Bentley and you three girls will 
have ample room/’ 

“ Hurrah ! hurrah ! mamma says we may 
go, and that she is very much obliged to 
you, Mrs. Grantham; and here — holding 
up a coin as he spoke, is a new two-shilling 
piece, for cakes, or whatever we choose to 
buy.” 

The above news was heard with unfeign- 
ed satisfaction by the young people. 

“A two-shilling piece !” said Mary, “ but 
Edward, did mamma give this money ? ” 

“ No, mamma said she would give us a 
plain dinner, only she knew kind Mrs. 
Grantham would do that — Uncle Charles 
gave this piece, it was his dog, you know, 
that caught hold of Tommy’s dress ! ” 

“ Your mamma is right, I will give you 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

a dinner, a plain one— plenty of cold meat 
and bread, with a rhubarb pie as dessert.” 

“ That will do capitally, but ma’am, may 
we not give Frank some! ” 

“ Certainly, my dear boy ; and Tommy 
also, for it is settled Tommy shall go in 
front with one of the drivers ; whilst you go 
with the other one.” 

“ Both Frank and Tommy can go if you 
like, I am sure there would be room, and it 
would save him a long walk for once, poor 
boy” 

“But some of the donkey boys are so 
disagreeable, they might object to two going 
in front and two behind, Edward ; do you 
not think so, ma’am ? ” 

“ They might object ; and yet, you are all 
little things, but Bentley.” 

“We will not have a disagreeable boy ! 
we will, if you say so, Mrs. Grantham ; go 
now at once, and engage a couple, and if 
two in front should really be too heavy, if 
you are willing, I will take it in turns with 
Frank to walk and ride; may I not? I am 
nearly as stout as Frank ! 


THE 'TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

“ You are nearly as stout, certainly ; but 
considering that you have a long day’s work 
before you, I think it would be imprudent 
that you should tire yourself before you 
commence; however Alice, tell Bentley I 
will thank her to accompany you all to 
where the boys stand, and then see what 
bargain you can make ; tell her also about 
to-morrow, I know she wants to go.” 

Away ran Alice, followed by the rest 
of the children ; they were soon on their 
way to the spot where the donkey boys and 
their patient beasts were standing, nor was 
much time lost in making an arrangement 
with a couple of them, to convey the whole 
party on the morrow to the cowslip fields, 
about seven or eight miles distant. Seven 
o’clock was* the time appointed to set oft*, 
and having taken a run on the downs, the 
children returned to Mrs. Grantham’s, when 
the Hayworths at once took leave, and 
Alice retired early to bed, that she might 
be ready in the morning for her work ; her 
grandmother, promising to send a message, 
that Frank and Tommy were to be at her 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP OATHFPE'RS. 


house at seven the following morning, when 
the children could tell them of their good 
fortune ; for so delighted were they at the 
thought of assisting the young orphans oy 
the labour of their own hands, that they 
begged Mrs. Grantham, they might be 
allowed to communicate the joyful tidings 
to the two boys. 



CHAPTER IV. 

EFORE half-past six 
the following morning 
the whole party were 
assembled. We need 
not tell our readers that 
the excursion was one 
of enjoyment, fortu- 
nately the weather had cleared off beautiful- 
ly, baskets had been begged and obtained, 
until Wilcox and Robert had both declared 
no more could be got — there was not one 
left in either house ! One was wanted for 
the eatables, whilst five were required for 
the labourers ! for of course, Bentley must 
have one ! and of course Emma, Alice, 
Mary, and Edward, each must have one ! 
since Frank and Tommy had each one ; and 
a couple of small ones had been put into the 
first donkey-chair by Edward, who wisely 
declared that he knew they would be glad 
enough with little ones, when their large ones 



THE LITTLE COWSLII* GATHERERS. 

got nearly full, so he had slipped into Mrs. 
Pry’s sanctum sanctorum, and had slipped 
out again in the utmost haste, carrying off in 
triumph two convenient sized baskets the 
old housekeeper kept for her own especial 
use ; and away he had ran to Mrs. Grant- 
ham’s ; only turning round once, to take a 
peep at Mrs. Pry shaking her hand at him, 
and hear her threaten he should have no cakes 
on his birth-day; a threat which did not 
occasion him much fear. A pleasant drive 
of a couple of hours took them to the de- 
sired fields, when they set to work in real 
earnest. It was a pleasant cool day, the 
birds were singing charmingly, and the 
cowslip gatherers were all in such spirits, 
that to see them begin, one might have 
supposed that they intended to clear the 
whole neighbourhood of its coveted treasures 
in the way of cowslips; but at the end 
of a couple of hours, all but Frank and 
Tommy felt more or less fatigued : indeed 
it is probable the two latter would willingly 
have ceased gathering for a time, but they 
did not complain, whilst the others were 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

compelled to take a short rest. They then 
again picked away until twelve o’clock, 
when hunger was now the general com- 
plaint ! So the basket of provisions was 
brought from its shady concealment, a clean 
apron of Bentley’s was turned into a table- 
cloth, knives and forks were soon called into 
service, and Frank having fetched a jug 
of clear water from an excellent spring, the 
party sat down to their well earned meal ; 
Frank and Tommy following the example 
of the others, on being told to do so, but 
respectfully keeping a little in the back 
ground. All did full justice to their dinner; 
the chicken disappeared in a very short 
space, whilst part of a cold tongue, lingered 
no long time behind ; but part of a cold leg 
of mutton offered a more formidable resis- 
tance, and the greater portion of it remained 
when Edward proposed that they should 
commence work again. Bentley now pro- 
duced a bottle of currant wine, which was 
hailed with acclamations of delight by 
the girls and Edward ; who exclaimed : — 

“ Who could have sent it ? just the 


The Dinner Party in the Cowslip Field 







T'J'K LTttt.-R COWSLTP GATTTERKllS. 

very thing. Who sent it, Bentley ? ” 

After a long time Bentley admitted that 
Mrs. Pry had sent it, whilst she herself had 
contrived to hide it in the last donkey chair, 
at the moment Edward was so busily en- 
gaged concealing his stolen property. 

“ Just like good old Pry ! I knew her 
indignation would not last long.” 

“ But Edward, don’t you be waving the 
bottle about in that way ; you will be break- 
ing it, and I should be more sorry for little 
Tommy than for ourselves : did you notice 
how pale he looked after sitting down?” 
said Emma. 

“ Poor boys, they both of them look 
delicate enough, but a glass of this will do 
them good,” and Edward pulled out the 
cork, which had already been drawn. 

“ Perhaps,” cried Mary, “it will do them 
more good than us : don’t you think so, 
Bentley ? I have often heard mamma and 
papa say that wine was not necessary for 
children, unless they were ill, and we are 
none of us ill, are we ? ” 

“ No indeed, Miss Mary, and I dare say 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

the wine would do those two poor boys 
more good, than any of the rest of the par- 
ty : suppose you put it to the vote, that 
after we have each had half a glass in as 
much water, we give the rest to Frank, with 
directions to give his brother half a glass 
daily with his dinner.” 

“But Bentley, do you not think Frank 
needs it as much as Tommy does ?” 

“ Not exactly, sir. The little boy is only 
just getting over a serious illness ; a few 
glasses of wine may help him to recover his 
strength ; now Frank is well enough, but 
he works too hard, and evidently, from what 
you all tell me, he feeds his brother only 
half, but then, that half is at the expense of 
himself : he is much to be pitied, poor boy, 
but less work and more food, would be 
better for him than wine, I should think. 
They seem very good boys, both of them.” 

“ Yes, and they appear so fond of each 
other, particularly Frank.” 

“ Oh, Edward ! that, I think, is only, 
because, as eldest, he has to take care of 
him.” 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


“ Yes, Emma, and if you noticed, when 
Alice helped Tommy, he did not eat until 
Frank had got his portion ; and when 
Edward handed the plate of bread, Tommy 
gave his brother the largest piece, though 
he did not know we had more in the basket * 
for him ; and see, there he is, picking away, 
though I heard Frank tell him he had better 
go and lie down for an hour : he keeps as 
close to him* all the time as he can ; I think 
that he works very hard, too.” 

“ Perhaps I am mistaken, but shall we 
follow Bentley’s advice about the wine ?” 

“ We need not vote, I suppose that we 
are all agreed on the subject.” 

“ You are right, Emma, there. Well, as 
1 am the only gentleman of the party, I will 
pour out the wine. Here, Bentley, is a 
bumper for you, you are no child.” 

“ Stop, stop, master Edward. Though no 
child, I do not require more than the half 
glass, I had rather Tommy had it : here is 
enough for two.” 

“ Shall we give that to Tommy now ] 
Frank, Tommy, come here quickly.” 


THE WO BROTHERS j OR, 

And he shouted at the top of his voice, 
but Bentley exclaimed, “ No, sir, no, half a 
glass will be quite enough for so young a 
boy, particularly when he is not used to it. 
More might do him serious harm.” 

“ Then divide that with Emma, and I 
will pour out half a glass for the rest, and a 
small half glass it will be, I assure you ; we 
shall have the more for Tommy.” 

“ The more the better, and there will be 
the remains of this mutton also.” 

“ Are they to have that, Alice ? Why, 
that will last them to-morrow, surely.” 

“It will last them the next three days, 
master Edward, and make them good meals.” 

By this time the two Wentworths had 
returned from the far end of the field. Their 
wine and water, as well as that of the others, 
was soon drank ; the plates, glasses, knives 
and forks, &c., all put carefully away, and 
then they prepared to count over the result 
of their morning’s labour. It turned out 
that Prank’s basket was quite full, Alice's 
and Tommy’s were nearly so, Bentley’s not 
very far behind ; but Edward’s, Mary’s, and 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

Emma’s, were none f)f them more than half 
full; and Frank, whose opinion on such 
matters was of no slight value, assured 
Bentley that to fill all the baskets, large and 
small, which could alone yield the desired 
quantity, would occupy all hands at least 
three hours longer. Frank proposed, as the 
young ladies and master Edward must be 
tired, that they should all return home, 
excepting himself; he could pick another 
basket very easily, and walk home in the 
cool of the evening : Tommy he would 
rather should go home in the chair. 

“ We will all go home altogether!” shout- 
ed Edward: “ shall we not, Bentley. One 
basket-full will not make up the quantity, 
let us all set to work again, how can Frank 
get the rest of the cowslips otherwise ? ” 

“ I will come very early to-morrow, sir, 
and bring two baskets with me/’ 

“And tire yourself out, as you did two 
days ago ! Let us put it to the vote.” 

“But Master Edward, if Frank says 
there are three hours work yet to do, I am 
afraid we shall not get it done under double 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

the time ; (at any rate? judging from what 
we have done this morning ;) you see, he 
gathers faster than any of us, and twice as 
fast as some of the party do.” 

“But Bentley, of course Frank meant 
that it would take us three hours, did you 
not Frank ? I now feel gay as a lark 1” 
And the eager Edward turned to the boy. 

“ Yes, sir, I considered that I could fill 
the two young ladies’ baskets, whilst they 
could gather into the small ones; in the 
mean time, Tommy can finish filling up his 
own, and afterwards help you if necessary.” 

“ No, no, I will fill my own as well as 
Bentley and Alice ; now Bentley, are you 
satisfied? we shall soon have finished.” 

“ Yes, yes, good Bentley, let us stay ; 
dear grandmamma will not mind our being 
a little late for once, do consent, we must 
finish.” 

“Yes, indeed, set to work, girls, and 
then you know, Bentley cannot but follow.” 

“And thus saying, Edward pushed 
Emma’s and Mary’s baskets toward Frank, 
gave the two little girls the small ones, 


t now feel gay as a lark! 



f 

































■ ‘ V . .. * 

J ■ • • ./> ’ \ 





















* 


















THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHEPEPS. 

and walked off with his own, when he 
immediately began gathering cowslips. The 
children followed his example, and Bentley, 
who had wished to stimulate their industry, 
smiled contentedly, and pursued Edward 
with her own basket, and whilst working 
near each other, occasionally cast a few cow- 
slips into his heap. At the end *of three 
hours and a quarter, the baskets were all 
full — a piece of news proclaimed by a 
general hurrah from the young people, but 
now a serious misfortune threatened them ; 
they all felt very hungry — if we except 
Frank and Tommy, who had rarely before 
had so good a supply of food as they had 
enjoyed that day ; but even they would not 
have objected to a little more. 

“ What shall we do Bentley ? I am raven- 
ous, and I am sure every one else is the 
same ; Emma, there, has been complaining 
this last half-hour.” 

“ Indeed, Master Edward, I scarcely 
know what to do ; I cannot give you meat 
and wine a second time in one day, nor 
would you take it if I did, I suppose.” 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 


“ Why no, you know who the meat and 
wine are for ! but we cannot starve.” 

“ Of course not ! Frank, do you know 
where we can get some nice milk?” 

Frank volunteered to call the donkey-boys, 
and to purchase a loaf of bread, and a 
pitcher of new milk ; and these good things 
being divided among the party, the donkey- 
chairs were again loaded, and the joyous 
party set out on their return home, quite 
contented with their day’s work. On 
approaching the downs, they saw the flock 
of sheep, which the next day, through 
Mrs. Grantham’s influence, Tommy was 
hired to assist the shepherd in watching ; 
his wages were to be eighteen pence a week ; 
was he not happy ? 



CHAPTER Y. 



hilst the donkeys 


are hastening home 
14 with their load of 
g”cowslips, and their 
r £ no trifling load of 


cowslip -gatherers, 
for even donkeys 


will sometimes bestir themselves, when a 
quiet browse on their accustomed common 
is in prospect, we will just devote a 
short chapter to informing our young 
readers how it fortunately came to pass, 
that Tommy was engaged as shepherd’s 
boy, and that Wilcox told him the news. 

Mrs. Grantham had a very kind way 
of speaking to her poor neighbors; and 
thus, when possible, they all took pleasure 
in obliging her. Now it occurred that, as 
she was stepping across the downs, the 


THE TWO brothers; or, 


first person she met was old Davy Hop- 
kins, one who, as man and boy, had 
tended sheep for above sixty years ! 
Aged as he was, he still took care of his 
master’s sheep, but not alone ; a faithful 
dog rendered him great assistance ; whilst ^ 
for several years past, he had had a boy 
to help him when driving the flock. But 
within the last few weeks, he had felt he 
was becoming weaker and weaker ; and, 
in consequence, he was anxious to meet 
with a boy on whose honesty and energy 
he could fully depend. He had decided 
on asking his employer to let him send for 
a nephew, who had already been assistant 
shepherd a couple of years to a farmer 
residing near Bath, for he did not feel 
equal to giving much instruction; yet, 
when Mrs. Grantham begged him to try 
little Tommy, the old man finally con- 
sented; for, as he told his good dame 
in the evening, it was impossible to refuse 
the kind lady her request, ‘ she has such a 
winning way.’ 

Ah, my little readers, this winning way 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


which influenced all within Mrs. Gran- 
tham’s circle, was the effect of real goodness 
of heart, founded on that true Christian 
principle of i whatsoever ye would that 
men should do to you, do ye even so to 
them.’ My dear young friend, strive to 
obey this rule in every action of your life ; 
and, by so doing, you will obey one of the 
most important doctrines taught by our 
Saviour Himself, in His sermon on the 
mount. 

As already stated, Davy yielded to 
Mrs. Grantham’s wish that Tommy should 
have a trial; but the matter was not yet 
quite settled; for though there was no 
reason to suppose that Davy’s employer 
would not be satisfied with anything the 
old man should approve, yet the affair 
could not be finally arranged until Mr. 
Wilson’s consent should be obtained, and 
this could perhaps not be got before the 
following morning. So, as the arrange- 
ment could not be considered as certain , 
Mrs. Grantham decided it was useless 
naming the subject to the orphans ere 


THE TWO brothers; or, 

there was no longer a doubt on the sub- 
ject. 

Next evening, old Davy called at Clif- 
ton-Hall, and informed Mrs. Grantham 
of Mr. Wilson’s being perfectly willing 
Tommy should be hired as shepherds 
boy. On this intelligence, the benevo- 
lent Wilcox offered to fit the boy out 
with an appropriate dress for his new 
calling; and in consequence of this, it 
was settled that he should visit Mrs. 
Hill’s cottage in the course of the follow- 
ing afternoon, and having made Tommy 
acquainted with the joyful tidings, that 
he should take him to a place where he 
could be suited with a set of clothes. 

A brisk walk of twenty minutes took 
the aged butler to Dame Hill’s tiny 
dwelling, and there he was admitted by 
the object of his benevolence ; Frank 
having insisted on the little fellow’s re- 
turning home at noon, and leaving him 
to gather their cowslips. It would be al- 
most impossible to express the delight, 
not only of Tomnry himself, but of the 


A brisk walk of twenty minutes brought the aged Butler to Dame Hill's tiny dwellin 
and there he was admitted by the object of his benevolence.” 




* 










. 




• • . • .. • 


: Y‘ 

, 




THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


kind old woman with whom he resided ; 
and who. at the moment of Wilcox's en- 
trance, was resting herself by the fire after 
a hard day's washing, that is, a hard day's 
washing for Dame Hill ! 

“ Oh ! how pleased Frank will be ! and 
then, I shall now be able to do something 
for a livelihood. Frank will no longer 
have to work entirely for us both. I 
shall help him : yes, my good friend, and 
you too shall have some help. Yes, 
Frank shall have my first week’s wages, 
and you shall have my second week's 
wages. Only just think, my own wages!" 
and little Tommy peeped out of the door 
between each sentence, to see if Frank 
was coming, that he might run and im- 
part to him the unexpected news. 

The worthy Wilcox enjoyed the sight 
of all the happiness his message had 
caused; and, after waiting ten minutes 
for the chance of the elder brother's re- 
turn, but seeing no sign of his appearance, 
he pursued his original intention, and took 
Tommy to provide him some more decent 


THE TWO BROTHERS. 


clothes ; for though the brothers had each 
of them a tolerably tidy Sunday suit, 
which they wore on occasion of the din- 
ner in the cowslip field, yet their ward- 
robe was, at best, rather a scanty one. 
But, haying improved Master Tom’s “ out- 
ward man,” the kind old butler bethought 
him of the unsightly jacket and trousers 
in which poor Frank was first introduced 
to Clifton-Hall : the result was, that a 
working-suit was placed in the hands of 
the happy Tommy, for his elder brother, 
as a present from Wilcox. 

Here ends our short chapter, and we 
hope our promised explanations may 
prove both clear and satisfactory to our 
young readers. 



ROSA; 

A SEQUEL 


THE TWO BROTHERS. 


THE CHILD’S FRIEND. 


jJTrst &merfcan from tj)e STJrtrtf JBnQUsf) Htiftfou. 


— *&■ 


sow/7 



S T r T ,r< 

PHILADELPHIA: 

HAYES & ZELL. 
LONDON: WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1857 . 


I 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
HAYES & ZELL, 

in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 


STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. 






CHAPTER T. 


CARCELY had 
the cowslip 
party started on 
their homeward 
drive, ere they 
caught a sight 
of good old Davy in the distance; and as 
a few passing remarks were made on the 
honest-hearted shepherd, the speakers lit- 
tle thought how soon Master Tommy 
would be under his protection. 

Alice and her companions had enjoyed 
a day of uninterrupted happiness ; and as 
they gayly jumped into their donkey-car- 
riages, the children appeared to be as 
little fatigued in sjpirits as when they had 
first entered them at half-past six in the 
morning. But Alice was not quite con- 
tented yet ! Knowing by experience that 
Bentley’s head contained a rich store of 



THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 


anecdotes, gleaned from her father, an 
aged and respected pensioner of Green- 



Greenwich Hospital. 


wich Hospital, whose forty years of active 
duty had taken him to almost all parts 
of the world, Alice decided in her own 
mind to persuade the good-natured wo- 
man that one of these same delightful 
anecdotes would considerably enliven the 
drive home. It was in vain that the 
prudent Mistress Bentley advised their 
now being quiet, that they might get a 
little rested after such a hard day’s work ! - 
All quiet was entirely out of the ques -l 
tion ; and had the soberly disposed don- 
keys been able to express an opinion, we 
doubt not but they would have stoutly 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


maintained that they had never before 
borne so merry a party. The two car- 
riages kept side by side the whole way ; 
and the children only ceased chattering 
when Bentley would occasionally enter- 
tain them with one of her fathers yarns . 

“ Now, Bentley — dear, good Bentley ! — 
we have given you a nice bit of rest : 
we have not spoken to you for above five 
minutes ! Your tongue must have quite 
recovered from its fatigue : do you not 
think you could tell us something more ? 
Just try, good Bentley, to please me !” 

“ Indeed, Miss Alice, it is no such easy 
matter to recollect things I have not 
thought of for years : I will endeavor, 
however, to remember some little anec- 
dote presently.” 

“Ah! good Bentley, we have nearly 
reached the half-way house between the 
cowslip-field and Clifton !” 

“But, Miss Alice, I must have time 
allowed me to recall to mind what I am 
to relate ” 

“ I can perhaps help you ; do you not 


THE TWO brothers; or, 


recollect what an interesting account you 
gave me last winter of a Dutch boy named 
Oscar V 

“ Oscar — Oscar Meliss. Oh, yes, I re- 
collect ; but I told you a great many an- 
ecdotes about him. I believe you now 
know as much regarding that brave and 
industrious youth, as I do myself, Miss 
Alice.” 

“ Perhaps so, good Bentley ; but in the 
course of your conversations, you several 
times mentioned a sister of his. Now, 
do you not think you could tell us some 
pretty story concerning that little girl?” 

“Ah, the gentle Rosa was kind and af- 
fectionate, as her brothers were brave and 
industrious. Little Rosa was the young- 
est in the famity, and had always been a 
great pet, not only with her parents, but 
with every member of this united family. 
No one had ever heard her sweet voice 
raised in anger !” 

“ But, Mistress Bentley, surely the little 
Rosa was sometimes displeased. I — I 
mean angry ?” 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


“ No, Master Edward ; Eosa Meliss 
was never angry. She might sometimes 
feel hurt at trifling disappointments ; nay, 
on one occasion, a most beautiful doll, 
sent her by a kind aunt, a wax doll ! the 
first that had ever made its appearance in 
the village of Westzaan, was broken to 
pieces through the carelessness of Oscar; 
but not one angry word, »ot one angry 
glance escaped from Eosa, as she beheld 
the floor covered with the scattered frag- 
ments of her treasured doll.” 

“ Poor, poor Eosa ! how sorry she must 
have been ! Indeed, Bentley, I think I 
could not have helped being angry even 
with my own dear brother Charles, had he 
been the careless cause of such an acci- 
dent — to break a beautiful wax doll ! 
Was it a very large one, Bentley?” 

“ I should suppose not, Miss Alice ; but 
a small one, prettily dressed, would be 
considered a wonderful beauty in the re- 
tired village of Westzaan.” 

“ Did its eyes shut and open, Mrs. 
Bentley ?” 


/ 

THE TWO brothers; or, 

“Yes, Miss Mary. Butjustlookat Bath.” 

“ Beautiful ! And its mouth opened ?” 

“ Oh, yes, Miss Mary.” 

“Indeed, it must have been a pretty 
doll. I feel more and more surprised that 
Rosa showed so much indifference to its 
loss.” 

“ You mistook me, Miss Emma, if you 
imagined I said the gentle Rosa w?.s in- 
different to the greatest loss she had ever 
experienced ! I merely said, she ex- 
hibited no anger. She was deeply 
grieved ; in fact, the poor child could not 
possibly restrain her fast falling tears ; 
but as she covered her face with both 
hands to conceal the evidence of her sor- 
row, the pearly drops would force them- 
selves through her tightly closed little 
fingers, in spite of her earnest endeavors 
to the contrary.” 

“ And what said Oscar, when he saw 
Rosa’s grief?” 

“ Though he did not weep — Oscar was 
ten years old ! — yet his affliction, Master 
Edward, was far more poignant than even 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


his sister’s. He would have given all his 
most valued treasures, to have seen the 
demolished doll once more whole, and in 
the arms of the gentle girl; who, sorely 
grieved as she was, had no thought of up- 
braiding her unhappy brother.” 

“ Could he not have purchased another 
doll?” 

“Not a w r ax one, Miss Emma; and its 
chief value was in its being made of wax ; 
for as I previously told you, no wax doll 
had ever before found its way into the 
quiet village of Westzaan ; at least, not 
in the recollection of the numerous young 
ones, who hastened in crowds to pay their 
respects to the stranger , as soon as they 
heard of the beautiful and unexpected 
present Rosa had received from her kind 
aunt and godmother.” 

“And had none of the old people ever 
seen a wax doll, Bentley ?” 

“Yes, Miss Alice; there lived in the 
village an old woman, whose childhood 
must have been passed some eighty years 
before the period of which we are speak- 


THE TWO BROTHERS ; OR, 


ing; and whose grandmother had held 
the situation of head-nurse in the family 
of one of the Princes of Orange ; where it 
had been her good fortune, not only to see 
several wax dolls, but to obtain an old 
one, which she had for years treasured 
as a valuable relic of her former import- 
ant position; and which was considered 
by all her grandchildren as one of the 
chief attractions among the several simple 
pleasures afforded them, by their weekly 
visits to the good old lady, who never 
failed to gratify the little visitors with a 
display of the beautiful wax doll.” 

“ Then, Rosa had heard of a wax doll 
before she saw one ?” 

“Yes, Miss Emma; yet she had re- 
ceived but a very faint description of the 
coveted object. Her grandmother was 
very young on occasion of these visits to 
Rosa’s great-great-grandmother ; and, con- 
sequently, retained no very strong re- 
membrance of the wonderful sight. How- 
ever, the little she told her young relative, 
sufficed to inspire Rosa with a desire to 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


possess such a beautiful toy ; and when it 
unexpectedly arrived, her joy knew no 
bounds; whilst all her play-mates were 
as much rejoiced as herself, that they 
were at length able to see one of the ex- 
traordinary dolls of which they had so 
frequently heard from the ancient chro- 
nicler of Westzaan.” 

“ But, Bentley — good Bentley, did Rosa 
covet a wax doll ?” 

66 She had a very strong desire for one ; 
that is, she felt as though she should be 
very glad if any person should happen to 
give her one ; but she did not wish to de- 
prive others of their property that she 
might possess their doll, Master Edward.” 

“ Then, why did you speak as though 
she coveted one T 

“ To covet, means to desire earnestly — 
to have a strong wish for an object. It 
also means, to desire too earnestly — to 
have too strong a wish for any particular 
object ; now, in speaking of Rosa’s covet- 
ing a doll, I speak of it in the former 
sense, Master Edward ; whilst — ” 


THE TWO brothers; or, 


“ Whilst it is taken in the latter sense, 
where the tenth commandment tells us, 
not to covet another man's goods.” 

“ Quite right, Miss Mary. Do you 
comprehend, Master Edward ?” 

“Yes. I now understand. I was be- 
fore afraid that little Rosa had forgotten 
one of the ten commandments.” 

“ Ah, no ; so far from forgetting one of 
the ten commandments, she invariably 
remembered the eleventh!' 

“ The eleventh ! Which is that, Mrs. 
Bentley ?” 

“Yes, Mary, you may well ask that 
question. I never heard but of ten com- 
mandments !” 

“ Nor I, either, Alice. Mrs. Bentley, 
do tell us what you mean. The eleventh 
commandment ?” 

“ I am sure, Mary has taught me but 
ten !” 

“ Then, your sister teaches you your 
commandments, Master Edward. I think 
you do her credit; or, perhaps, your 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


mamma occasionally becomes your in- 
structor ?” 

“No, Mistress Bentley; mamma has 
not been well for a long time, you know ; 
and when I began learning my catechism, 
papa said he would prefer Mary’s teach- 
ing me, to dear mamma’s being troubled 
on the subject. Now, after a good deal 
of persuasion, mamma consented, on con- 
dition that I should learn to repeat each 
word distinctly ; and I promised to say 
the whole in six months without missing 
one word.” 

“ And did you succeed ?” 

“ Yes, Alice ; but we both of us worked 
very hard, indeed; I so often forgot! 
Then, I had to learn it over again ; for 
the bargain was, that I should repeat the 
catechism by heart, without looking at 
my book for a week previously.” 

“I do not see why you should have 
promised to learn it in six months ; why 
did you not take twelve ?” 

“ Mamma named six, herself.” 


THE TWO brothers; or. 


“ I do not see the object of such a short 
time being allowed. Do you, Bentley?” 

“ It was enough, Miss Alice.” 

“ Yes; but with very hard work !” 

“ That was owing to Master Edward’s 
carelessness ; had he been very attentive, 
he would not so easily have forgotten ; 
and thus, still less time would have been 
necessary than his mamma allowed him.” 

“But, dear Bentley, do tell us about 
the eleventh commandment.” 

“ Your grandmamma was reading a few 
days ago, about a very great man, the 
celebrated Archbishop Usher. It would 
appear that he had a narrow escape of his 
life at sea on one occasion ; the account 
was so interesting, that your grandmamma 
desired me to read it to her, the print 
being too small for her eyes. As far as I 
can remember, the vessel in which he 
sailed, encountered a severe storm; at 
any rate, the Archbishop was, when still 
a young man, wrecked on the coast of 
Ireland, where he suffered great hard- 
ships.” 


4 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHEIIERS. 



Carrick-a-Rede, on the coast of the County Antrim. 


“ But, surely, Bentley, any shipwrecked 
person should have met with ready sym- 
pathy ; and still more, a clergyman !” 

“ Unfortunately, Miss Emma, evil-dis- 
posed persons frequently try and impose 
on the charitable, by fictitious accounts 
of marine disasters ; and thus, those who 
are really suffering from them, do not al- 
ways obtain the credit to which their tale 
of distress is entitled. In Archbishop 
Usher’s case, the accident took place on 
a part of the Irish coast, where neither 
his person nor his character was known 
in the slightest degree; and hence, the 
inhospitable welcome with which he was 
received.” 

“ And what became of him, good Bent- 
ley?” 


THE TWO brothers; or. 


“ Stripped of every thing, and wholly 
destitute of the means of obtaining a par- 
ticle of food, he wandered from house to 
house; till finally, he arrived at the resi- 
dence of a dignitary of the church, where 
he earnestly sought shelter and relief, 
craving assistance from the owner as a 
brother clergyman ! The individual to 
whom he thus applied was a well-meaning 
man, but living near the coast, he had 
been frequently marked out by the de- 
signing, as a proper object for deception; 
both on account of his profession, and be- 
cause of his charitable character. But 
repeated frauds had occasioned distrust, 
the dignitary had at length become sus- 
picious; and on seeing the wretched ap- 
pearance of the squalid being before him, 
he doubted his character, and distrusted his 
tale of the wreck and its terrible results ; 
whilst he assured the Archbishop, that so 
far from his being a clergyman, he did 
not believe that he could even tell him 
how many commandments there were.” 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


“Oh, Bentley, what an assertion to 
make !” 

“ You must remember, Miss Alice, how 
often the good man had been deceived.” 

“ And what did the poor shipwrecked 
Archbishop say ?” 

“ He at once answered ; ‘ I can imme- 
diately satisfy you, that I am not the ig- 
norant impostor you take me to be. There 
are eleven commandments.” 

“ Ah ! there is where you got the idea 
of your eleven commandments.” 

“Do not, dear Edward, interrupt Mrs. 
Bentley ; I am so anxious to hear about 
this eleventh commandment. What did 
the clergyman reply to that ?” 

“ Why, the Archbishop’s answer, Miss 
Mary, so far from removing the suspicions, 
confirmed the doubts of the worthy dig- 
nitary.” 

“And what did he say, Mrs. Bentley?” 

“ He sneeringly answered. ‘ Indeed, 
there are but ten commandments in my 
Bible; but just explain to me the ele- 
venth, and I will certainly relieve you.’ 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 


‘ That is easily done,’ said the Archbishop, 

‘ A new commandment give I unto you, 
that ye love one another.’ ” 

“ Bat, Bentley, good Bentley, this com- 
mandment is not with the ten . Where 
do you find it ?” 

u You will easily find it, Miss Emma, 
by looking in St. John, chap. 13, verse 
34 ; and in 1 St. John, chap. 2, verse 8. 

“ Thank you, Mrs. Bentley; and, you 
say, that Rosa always obeyed this eleventh 
commandment?” 

“ Invariably, Miss Emma. Indeed, it 
appeared as though she was constantly 
thinking of others instead of considering 
only herself, as so many children are apt 
to do ; and the consequence was, that she 
proved an universal favorite among her 
neighbors and acquaintances, no less than 
an object of love in the midst of her own 
immediate family, by every member of 
which she was almost idolized.” 

“ How many were there in family T 

“ Father and mother, Master Edward, 
in the first place ; then, there were two 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


brothers and the little Rosa ; but besides 
these five, there was an aunt who passed 
the most of her time with this happy 
family. The mother being a cripple, and 
very frequently confined to her bed, liked 
to have aunt Louisa staying with them ; 
for the affectionate daughter, though kind 
and attentive as possible, was yet very 
young ; whilst the presence of this active 
and good-natured kinswoman, was a great 
comfort to the whole party, but more es- 
pecially to her gentle niece, who loved 
aunt Louisa almost as much as she did 
her parents.’’ 

“ Then, the little Rosa had no sister ?” 

“ No, Miss Alice ; she often wished for 
one ; but contented herself after her tenth 
year, with calling her cousin Agatha, by 
the endearing name of sister.” 

“ Then, she could not do without a 
sister.” 

“No, Miss Emma; poor Rosa often 
said, ‘ had I a sister, I would be so kind 
to her. I would oblige her in every pos- 
sible way, were she older than I; and, 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 


were she younger, I would pet her, and 
take care of her, and not spoil her ; but 
I would try by kindness to make her love 
me with all her heart ; whilst I would 
teach her every thing dear mother has 
taught me.’ ” 

“ And, whose child was Agatha?” 

“Aunt Louisa’s, Master Edward.” 

“ And where was her father, Bentley ?” 

“ Dead, Miss Emma.” 

“ Was Agatha older or younger than 
Rosa, Mrs. Bentley?” 

“ She was younger, Miss Emma.” 

“ They would be nice playmates.” 

“ Yes, Master Edward; and, fortunately, 
her arrival took place soon after the de- 
struction of the wax doll.” 

“ Oscar might have given Rosa one of 
his playthings.” 

“He presented her, Master Edward, 
with a live squirrel.” 

“ A live squirrel ! of his own catching?” 

“It was, Master Edward. The poor 
boy was so grieved at the result of his 
carelessness, that for days he racked his 



“ He presented her with a live Squirrel.” 





THE TWO brothers; or, 


brain, thinking how he could repair the 
evil. At length it crossed his mind, that 
a pretty lively squirrel would be just the 
thing to make Rosa forget her loss. From 
that moment, he set a trap which should 
secure him the desired object; and one 
bright morning, his pains were rewarded 
by the sight of a beautiful captive.” 

“ How delighted he must have been !” 

“ And Rosa too, Mary.” 

“ Brother and sister were both as 
pleased as it was possible for good children 
to be ; and when Rosa observed the active 
little creature — one minute nibbling a nut 
with its sharp tiny teeth, the next, whirl- 
ing round its circular cage with a speed 
approaching that of lightning — the wax 
doll was completely forgotten.” 

“ Never to be remembered again, I 
should think.” 

“But, Edward, she could not carry a 
squirrel about, as she could her wax doll.” 

“ Granted, Emma ; yet think how tame 
the little thing would become, through 
the kind treatment of the gentle Rosa.” 


CHAPTER II. 



OOD Bentley, 
the evening is 
very fine.” 

“Delight- 
fully clear and 
pleasant, Miss 


Alice” 

“ You do not feel much fatigued, now?’* 

“ Not very much, Miss Alice. I have 
had a good rest; and, indeed, I suppose 
we all feel the better for this cool and re- 
freshing drive.” 

“ Yes, good Bentley, I am sure I do ; 
and the girls there, look as merry as pos- 
sible ; whilst the boys — the boys — at least, 
Edward, whispered me just now, to try 
and persuade you, good Bentley, to tell us 
another story.” 

“'Indeed, Miss Alice, I am not made 
of stories.” 

“ Now, dear good Bentley, do you not 


THE TWO brothers; or, 


remember that last Monday you were 
going to tell me something about a boy 
named Lam — Lambert ? Grandmamma 
calling me to walk with her, prevented 
your telling me more than the name : I 
dare say his history is an interesting one. 
Just try, good Bentley, and recollect it 
for our benefit !” 

“ Lambert ? Lambert ? ah ! I think I 
remember about him. Lambert was his 
Christian name.” 

“ Oh ! I thought that had been his 
surname ?” 

“No, Miss Alice, Meliss was his sur- 
name.” 

“And what about him, good Bentley?” 

“He was remarkable for his filial in- 
trepidity, Miss Alice.” 

“Just relate us some proof of it: I 
am certain we shall all of us feel so much 
obliged to you. You can tell us what I 
was to have heard the other day ; and — 
and as much more as you like to say !” 

“ Thank you, Miss Alice, for your very 
kind permission ! However, I will for 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


the present confine myself to giving you 
a trait of his character which has rendered 
his name celebrated in our days, and 
which at the time justly raised him to 
wealth and honor.” 

“ Is it the same anecdote you had in- 
tended telling me last Monday ?” 

“Yes, miss, the very same. Boys, 
try and keep the carriages close abreast 
of each other; and you, children, must 
keep as quiet as mice, or you will not 
hear me, and I cannot repeat. You 
must pay attention, and listen without 
chattering, whilst I tell you about Lam- 
bert Meliss.” 

“ Thanks, thanks, good Mistress Bent- 
ley ! Proceed. We are all quite still, 
and we will be as silent as possible.” 

“ I trust to your keeping all quiet, 
Master Edward. Not another word, if 
you please, unless you wish to ask some 
question concerning what you hear : it is 
very disagreeable for persons to act as 
though they were not attending, when 
people speak to them — very disagreeable 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

indeed! So I must again beg you to 
listen quietly, whilst I relate a true in- 
stance of 


FILIAL INTREPIDITY. 

“ In the year 1574, the Spaniards, who 
were at that time most inveterate enemies 
of the Dutch, made an incursion into 
North Holland.” 

“ Did your father tell you the story, 
good Bentley?” 

“ Yes, Miss Alice : he heard the account 
when he made his last trip : he became 
acquainted with a Dutchman ” 

“ Then it is a true anecdote ?” 

“ Yes, Miss Emma ; at least, as far as I 
believe, it was told my father as a truth ; 
and I have since read it in print, where it 
is given as a well-authenticated fact.” 

“ Thank you, good Bentley : I do like 
true stories.” 

“As I was saying, Miss Alice, the 
Dutch were invaded by the Spaniards; 
and as the latter approached a village 
called Westzaan, the terrified inhabitants 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


■ — men, women, and children — took to 
flight ; at least all those did who were not 
prevented by age and infirmity from tak- 
ing this prudent measure.” 

“But, surely, warriors would never 
have thought of harming women and 
children ? nor men neither, I should 
think.” 

“ Ah, Master Edward, when the blood 
gets hot, it is impossible to say what men 
will do. Many a town has been sacked 
and the inhabitants put to the sword by 
a hostile army ” 

“But little children, good Bentley! 
little babies ! — surely you are mistaken 
— surely no man would kill a baby !” 

“I am afraid, Miss Mary, there are 
but too many men who would not hesi- 
tate to kill all who came in their way — 
often for the mere pleasure of destruction ! 
War is a fearful state : the sight of blood 
ever before the eyes, is too apt to deaden 
the better traits and to rouse the baser 
passions of mankind. Individuals thus 
situated, amidst the din of arms, frequently 


THE TWO brothers; or, 


wholly change their characters ; and from 
being mild and humane, become fierce and 
cruelly disposed.” 

“ I could never have believed soldiers 
would kill babies !” 

“And perhaps when cool they would 
not do so, Master Edward; nay, would 
perhaps feel nearly as indignant and hor- 
rified at the mere thought of such a crime 
as you feel at this moment ! But when 
habituated to scenes of bloodshed, their 
kitidly feelings become blunted ; and this 
change you may see in boys, as well as 
in men.” 

“ Oh ! Bentley, Bentley, boys will not 
kill people !” 

“ They may not kill persons, Master 
Edward, but when they exchange the 
society of the virtuous for that of the 
wicked, they gradually become altered in 
character, until they finally resemble their 
new associates ; and the crimes, the mere 
contemplation of which would have for- 
merly filled them with horror, no longer 
appear in their true light ” 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


“But, Bentley, some of my play-fel- 
lows do what my papa and mamma forbid 
me to do; yet, I never follow their ex- 
ample” 

“ Are you quite sure of that ?” 

“ Oh, yes, Mistress Bentley ; you never 
hear me call bad names, as — as Dick ; but 
papa says, I ought not to expose a boy’s 
faults unnecessarily ; so I will not men- 
tion him.” 

“ I quite believe you would not be guilty 
of speaking bad words ; at least, not now.” 

“ Not now ! I say, never !” 

“ About five weeks ago I was in your 
nursery, when I heard you telling your 
mamma, how shocking it was to hear your 
little cousin contradict his sister and bro- 
ther; and, I was pleased to hear your 
mamma say, she was glad you had not that 
bad habit; whilst she expressed a hope 
you would not follow it, at the mere 
thought of which you felt insulted. Yes- 
terday, I jmssed near, when you and two 
of your cousins were flying their kite — in 
less than three minutes, you flatly contra- 
dicted them four times !” 


CHAPTER III. 



g? Henry was so 


jgV she persisted 


V s provoking; 
? and — and 


UT, Bentley, 


Frances, also, 


in repeating 


his words ; indeed — ■” 

u Indeed, Master Edward, whatever pro- 
vocation you might have received, I do 
not believe it would have induced you thus 
to contradict your little cousins five weeks 


ago. 


“ But what made him do so yesterday, 
Mrs. Bentley, do you think V 

“ I know of but one reason, Miss Emma ; 
since his cousins’ arrival here, he and they 
have been very much together ; they meet 
on an average for three or four hours daily 
— time enough to acquire any bad habit.” 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


“Mistress Bentley is right, I believe. 
Papa and mamma always say that evil 
companions are almost certain to corrupt 
their associates, no matter how naturally 
good they may be. Remember, Edward, 
what a nice boy Howard Thornton was, 
until he passed day after day with the 
Turners. He is a changed lad since then, 
and neither papa nor mamma like us to 
play or converse with him. He used to 
be so kind and gentle to every breathing 
thing; now, he strikes"' his younger bro- 
thers, he torments his sisters, he troubles 
the servants, he is proud to the poor, and 
not always respectful to his parents/’ 

“ Mary, Mary, how severe you are !” 

“ No, Emma : that which I have been 
saying about Howard is not what I think 
of him ; at least, I am not certain I 
should have thought it of him, had it 
not been for papa’s description of him the 
other night, when we wanted him to 
spend half his holidays here, and papa 
objected.” 

“ He is certainly a different boy since 


THE two brothers; or, 

he went so much to those Turners : I 
hope he will never be as bad as they are.” 

“It is to be hoped not, Miss Emma; 
but when once a person gets evil asso- 
ciates, it is very difficult to break off the 
intimacy; and as the heart is naturally 
inclined to evil, the corrupt are far more 
likely to lead the good astray, than it is 
probable that the virtuous will influence 
the wicked to forsake their ways.” 

“But soldiers are not all bad, Bent- 
ley?” 

“Far from it, Master Edward; but a 
camp or a battle-field will necessarily offer 
many evil examples, when the weak may 
swerve from the right path, and the man 
who once stepped aside lest he should 
wound an insect, now dreads not to send 
a human soul into eternity; and children, 
Master Edward, who, by corrupt asso- 
ciates, are brought into constant commu- 
nion with evil, not only cease to take 
pleasure in virtue, but they too soon learn 
to love vice. However, to return to Lam- 
bert, who, when the village of Westzaan 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


poured forth its alarmed inhabitants, found 
himself in a situation of the greatest dis- 
tress and difficulty.” 

“What age was he, good Bentley?” 

“ That I cannot exactly say ; but he 
is described as a mere boy ; so I imagine 
he could not have been very old. Lam- 
bert’s father was an upright man, who 
led a very religious life, and obeyed the 
laws of his country : to the education of 
his boy, he had devoted a great portion 
of his time : even wdien quite a child, 
the little Lambert had been accustomed 
to accompany his father into the fields, 
where the latter, in the simple language 
suitable to a child’s understanding, would 
teach his little one, through lessons drawn 
from the works of nature, the existence 
of a God! — the love of a heavenly 
Father!” 

“ But did Lambert like such conversa- 
tions ?” 

“ Oh yes : his father made it interest- 
ing to him, by speaking of what the little 
boy could easily comprehend — just as your 


THE TWO brothers; or, 

grandmamma, Miss Alice, adapts her ex- 
planations to your understanding.” 

“ Ah, but grandmamma is such a very 
pleasant companion ! If we take a walk 
in the country, or even on the downs, we 
are certain to see something from which 
grandmamma draws some useful infor- 
mation for my benefit ; and then, so many 
amusing anecdotes as I have heard during 
my visit here ! My brother Charles feared 
I should be melancholy, staying three 
months in a house without mamma and 
papa, or any of the children ; but though 
I should have loved dearly to have had 
them with me, I have not felt a dull 
moment since my arrival.” 

“Your grandmamma has a delightful 
way of entertaining children; and, indeed, 
I may say she is a general favorite with 
all ages : her mind is so well stored with 
what she has both seen and read, that I 
have heard her compared to a ‘living 
book of universal knowledge/ Lambert’s 
father was a very different personage : he 
was a man of plain education and plain 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


manners ; and having resided the greater 
portion of his life in the quiet village of 
Westzaan, he had had but little opportu- 
nity of getting acquainted with much 
beyond his own immediate neighborhood ; 
yet he had wisely profited by all he had 
seen; and thus he could make himself 
not only an useful, but an agreeable com- 
panion. The sky, the clouds, the rain, 
hail, or snow, indeed, everything animate 
or inanimate, was in turn the subject of 
his observation, and the indirect means 
of leading his thoughts towards the good- 
ness of the Almighty.” 

“What do you mean by ‘indirect 
means/ good Bentley?” 

“ Your uncle sent you a beautiful work- 



Chinese Barges. 


THE TWO brothers; or, 

box from China last Christmas. When 
you use it or look at it, of whom do you 
most generally think, Miss Mary ?” 

“ Oh, Bentley ! — of course I never, or 
at least very rarely, see my uncle’s mag- 
nificent present, without thinking of the 
giver. Do you know, a lady who has 
passed many years in China, told me, last 
week, that my box was one of the most 
elegant ones she had ever seen.” 

“ Your work-box is the indirect means 
of drawing your thoughts towards your 
uncle.” 

“ Ah ! now I comprehend ; and Lam- 
bert’s father ” 

“ Saw God in all the works of nature !” 

“But, Mrs. Bentley, I see the sky 
and clouds, the birds and the insects, yet 
they do not make me think of God !” 

“And, Master Edward, you get your 
food and clothing regularly, but you do 
not often think from whom you receive 
them.” 

“ Oh ! my food and clothes are given 
me by dear papa and mamma. Mamma 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


buys them for me, and papa gives her the 
money. So mamma told me.” 

“ And you are so accustomed to receive 
them, that their being given you excites 
not the least attention, nor the slightest 
feeling of gratitude ! Thus it is with 
many of the blessings vouchsafed us by 
Providence : we are so accustomed to them, 
that they fail to impress us with a thought 
of the Divine Donor.” 

“ But, Mrs. Bentley, does not this for- 
getfulness prove that people are naturally 
very ungrateful?” 

“I do not like to think so badly of 
human nature, Miss Emma — people are 
naturally very thoughtless. Hence, I 
hope that is the main reason of their so 
frequently seeming ungrateful.” 

“ I should not like to be guilty of even 
seeming ingratitude; and yet, now you 
remind me of the fact, I do not often 
think of all I daily receive from my papa 
and mamma.” 

“ We have not time, at present, to enu- 
merate the many acts of kindness and 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

affection for which you are indebted to 
your parents : they are, however, num- 
berless, Miss Emma.” 

“I cannot understand how children 
should be so thankless.” 

“Like grown people, they too readily 
take as a matter of course, or as a right, 
what is in reality only a favor and a gift. 
When your mamma takes you out in the 
carriage, you think not of being obliged ; 
when your bread and milk appears on the 
breakfast-table, you partake of it as though 
your own power had placed it before you; 
whilst a new shoe supersedes an old one 
with as little ceremony ! This, my dears, 
is mainly owing to your never having felt 
the want of either carriage, food, or 
clothes.” 

“Then, Bentley, perhaps you think 
that Frank and Tommy, who have been 
in less fortunate circumstances than our- 
selves, are more likely to feel grateful 
for any kindness they may receive.” 

“Yes, Miss Alice, so I think. I believe 
if Mrs. Hill were to have an excellent 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


fire for them this evening, they would feel 
very grateful ; but had they been accus- 
tomed to a well-filled grate, when required, 
they would probably pay as little atten- 
tion to the cheerful welcome, as some 
young people do, with whom I happen to 
be just slightly acquainted.” 

“ Ah, you are jesting now, good Bent- 
ley ; you mean us ; but, indeed, I feel very 
much annoyed if there is not a good 
blazing fire on a cold day ; and I suppose 
others would be the same. Should not 
you, Emma?” 

“ Oh, yes, Alice ; I know not what we 
should do without a cheerful blaze on win- 
ter evenings.” 

“I dare say you would feel its ab- 
sence very much; but in nine instances 
out of ten, you would not think of its 
presence. But here we are at the second 
toll-gate ; Master Edward must pay, as he 
holds the purse; be quick, sir; we are 
keeping that waggoner waiting, and he 
looks tired after his hard day’s work.” 


CHAPTER IV. 



do not think 
I kept that 
old man long. 
Did I, Mis- 


tress Bent- 


“No, sir; and I doubt not, that he 
would have have felt grateful for your 
consideration, had he known you hastened 
your movements on his account. From 
his own appearance, as well as that of his 
horses, I should imagine they have tra- 
velled a very long distance.” 

“ But, I wish he had known I paid 
quickly to please him ; half the benefit is 
lost, if one’s good actions are unknown.” 

“ If good actions are unknown to indi- 
viduals, or pass unnoticed, half the plea- 
sure may be lost, but not half the benefit, 
Master Edward.” 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


“Mrs. Bentley, I have been thinking 
that you are mistaken, I should feel as 
grateful for kindness as Frank or Tommy; 
at least, I think so,” 

“ They , Miss Alice, would feel grateful 
to Mrs. Hill, for a good supper to-night. 
Am I not right, Frank? Would you not 
feel excessively grateful to the good dame ? 
— whilst Miss Alice here will take her 
cup of milk and piece of bread without a 
thought of being particularly grateful to 
any one!” 

“ Frank does not answer !” 

“ But Frank knows I speak the truth : 
do you not, my boy? Master Edward 
appears to believe that you and I think 
differently on this subject.” 

“ I cannot say anything about Miss 
Alice : all I know is, that were a good 
supper to be given me, I should feel very 
grateful.” 

“ And to whom, my good boy ?” 

“ To the person who should generously 
give it me ; and also to my only Parent, 
for thus having put it into the heart of 
any one to befriend an orphan boy.” 



View of the City of Bath. 





THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


“ Cultivate such admirable feelings, my 
good boy ; you will then never want for 
friends” 

“But, Mrs. Bentley, I am afraid you 
are forgetting about the youth Lambert. 
You were saying he had been so well in- 
structed by his father.” 

“Yes, Miss Emma; he could not have 
had a superior religious and moral educa- 
tion, had he been the Prince of Wales, 
instead of being, as he was, the son of an 
humble inhabitant of Westzaan.” 

“ And you said he was celebrated for 
his filial intrepidity ?” 

“Yes, Miss Emma; his name is well 
known at Horn, a large sea-port of North 
Holland.” 

“ Then, do please tell us about him ?” 

“ Being the eldest in the family, and 
some years older than either brother or 
sister, the little Lambert was a frequent 
companion of his father; whose occupa- 
tions took him out a great deal into the 
open air ; thus, the boy early acquired a 
degree of strength, both of mind and 


THE TWO brothers; or, 


body, far beyond bis years. At the time 
of the Spanish invasion, it happened that 
aunt Louisa and Agatha, who had grown 
a fine young woman, were absent on a 
visit. As Lambert was supporting the 
feeble steps of his aged father, with a care 
and affection equal to that which the 
parent had at an earlier period displayed, 
when instructing the opening mind of the 
now stalwart youth, he suddenly heard 
sounds of the dreaded enemy. A hasty 
but searching glance, confirmed his worst 
fears ! The Spaniards were at hand ! He 
at once placed his companion under the 
care of Oscar and Rosa, bidding them 
set forth with the other fugitives. He 
then occupied himself with the safety of 
his remaining parent. This event occurred 
in the middle of winter, when all the 
waters are locked up by impenetrable ice. 
There were none of those sledges within 
reach, which the Hollanders use in this in- 
clement season ; the youth, therefore, 
placed his afflicted parent on a small settee, 
and thus dragged her over the ice, with 







































































































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“ As Lambert was supporting the feeble steps of his aged 
Father, with a rare and affection equal to that which 


the Parent had, at an earlier period, displayed when instruetin 













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THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


the speed of lightning. Notwithstanding 
his swiftness, the Spaniards got some hint 
of a supposed booty ; found the track, and 
followed with the utmost celerity, in the 
hope of seizing an inestimable prize. 

u Meliss, seeing the enemy in close pur- 
suit, resolved on hiding his charge and 
himself in some adjacent reeds. But in 
vain was this precaution. The soldiers 
discovered them immediately; when the 
prize turned out to be a helpless parent 
and a dutiful child ! 

“ However much disappointed in their 
expectation, they were yet most sensibly 
touched at this instance of filial affection. 
Too poor themselves to reward the youth, 
they showed their admiration of his con- 
duct by avoiding to give these fugitives the 
slightest molestation ; they returned, more 
astonished than disappointed. Lambert 
having thus escaped the dangers that 
threatened him, again grasped the cord 
with which he drew the vehicle along; 
and pursued his course till he reached a 
considerable town called Horn, where he 


THE TWO brothers; or, 

vainly hoped to find the rest of the family. 
He was admitted at the western gate of 
the city ; and there his heroism and his 
filial duty soon became the universal 
theme of conversation. 

“ The mayor and aldermen of Horn 
considered the youth’s conduct so merito- 
rious, that, in commemoration of so noble 
a deed, and to excite all other children — 
under similar circumstances — to imitate 
his example, they caused a stone to be 
placed on the top of the western gate, re- 
presenting a young man dragging an aged 
woman over the ice, precisely as that 
event had occurred; and beneath the 
figures a suitable inscription was cut, 
which was very lately to be seen. 

“ Thus far did the civil power reward 
this amiable child. But Providence had 
more in reserve for him. No long time 
elapsed, ere the whole family were again 
united, when they decided on remaining 
at Horn, where a succession of fortunate 
incidents enabled Lambert Meliss to enjoy 
all the comforts of life. He married most 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


advantageously, and left a numerous 
family ; some of whom, at the time of this 
account being given my father, filled the 
most respectable and the most lucrative 
offices under the government of Horn.” 

“ Should I ever feel inclined to be un- 
grateful to my dear parents, I hope the 
recollection of Lambert Meliss may cross 
my mind !” 

“I hope it may, Miss Alice, should 
such an event occur. But here we are at 
the gate.” 



CHAPTER V. 


N their return, they 
found Mrs. Grantham 
had been busy. She 
had paid an early 
visit to Dame Hill, 
where all she had 
heard of Frank, was 
in his praise — his dutiful affection to his 
poor mother, during her short widowhood — 
his almost parental care and devotion to his 
delicate brother — and his gratitude to the 
only being on earth who had befriended the 
helpless orphans, had so won the heart 
of the old woman, that she never wearied 
of repeating his good actions. 

“ Indeed ma’am, he is the very best boy 
that ever was ; there, only lately, when his 
brother fell ill, he would watch over him at 
nights just as though he had been Tommy’s 
mother! and he would not forget me either, 
but would come to my bed-side half-a-dozen 



Frank reading his Bible. 



THE TWO BROTHERS ; OR, 

times before the morning, to see if he could 
give me any help ; but little, he or any one 
else could do for the bandit oi a rheumatic 
old woman ! ” 

“ He appears almost as delicate as his 
brother,” observed Mrs. Grantham. 

“Ah, that is only since he has worked so 
hard, to try and afford Tommy better food 
than formerly; and then, to see the two 
poor things trying to persuade each other to 
eat ! Trank pretending he has had enough, 
whilst Tommy does not like to take the 
food, believing, (1 fancy the truth,) that his 
brother leaves it on his account. Some- 
times, they have scarcely had a bit of bread 
for a couple of days ; when if they get an 
old crust, Frank will soak it, and put a bit 
of salt with it, to make it palatable for his 
brother. Theirs has been a hard fate so far, 
indeed, and I now much fear that Tommy 
will not recover his strength ; should he die, 
I think his poor brother will never survive 
the loss.” 

Such was the character which was given 
of Frank to Mrs. Grantham ; and this kind 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

lady lost no time in exerting her influence 
to improve the condition of the two little 
orphans. Before the return of the cowslip 
gatherers, arrangements had been made 
with Farmer Wilson for Tommy, who was 
to be assistant shepherd, till he should be 
old enough to learn a trade ; whilst several 
friends of the benevolent applicant, stimu- 
lated by the representations of Mrs. Gran- 
tham, had given large orders for cowslips; 
and our young readers may believe, that 
during the following twelve months there 
was no scarcity of cowslip wine in Clifton. 

At the end of the cowslip season, Frank 
appeared before his kind benefactors, and 
produced forty-eighi shillings, the result of 
his industry. Mrs. Grantham had expected 
him, and had given Alice leave to invite her 
little play-fellows to tea ; the children had 
saved up twelve shillings amongst them, 
which they now added to Frank’s fortune ; 
when this latter, respectfully asked to be 
advised as to how he had best apply so large 
a sum for the mutual benefit of his brother 
and himself. 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

“ I do not see that there is any necessity 
of sharing these three pounds with Tommy, 
he is provided for at present ; when old 
enough to be bound out to a trade, I will 
myself advance the money which may then 
be required; trusting to his returning it me, 
whenever he shall be able : all that he can 
want in the mean time, is a little more food 
and clothing than his wages will obtain 
him ; but you will best procure him these 
articles, by applying your money to obtain 
some profitable employment for yourself ; 
have you thought on the subject ? ” 

“Yes, ma’am; I thought of purchasing 
fruit for a stall, and trying my luck in that 
way: I know some persons who make a 
good deal of money from the sale of apples, 
cherries, pears, &c. I also thought of buy- 
ing a number of baskets or brooms, and 
taking them round the country, but I like 
neither plan : I do not understand much 
about fruit, and I fear I might lose a great 
part of my earnings, before I should acquire 
the requisite information : whilst the selling 
brooms or baskets through the country, is a 


THE LITTLE COWSLIT GATHERERS. 

kind of wandering life, which, though it 
would prove any thing but disagreeable, as 
far as regards myself, yet it must inevitably 
lead me much from home, and as Tommy 
takes his breakfast and supper at home, 
besides dining and spending his Sunday 
afternoons with us, I do not like to be 
absent more than I can help.” 

“But does not your brother go to the 
Sunday school, and to church ?*' 

“ We, both of us used to go to church 
twice on Sundays, and also to the school ; 
but now Tommy is engaged every Sunday 
morning ; but he has the afternoons to him- 
self, when he always goes to church; and on 
our return home, he or I, read the Bible to 
our kind old friend, or learn a psalm or 
a hymn, we both know our catechism per- 
fectly, and hitherto I have attended Sunday 
school regularly; but should I accompany 
old Peter in his selling expeditions through 
the country, I may not always get back on 
Saturdays, and though I can always go to 
church, wherever I may be, yet I fear I 
shall have to give up the Sunday school. 


THE TWO BROTHERS \ OR, 

which would prove a serious loss both to 
Tommy and myself ; for now, I instruct 
him during the evenings, in whatever 
I have learnt on the Sunday/’ 

“An excellent plan! and we must try and 
contrive that it should be continued — have 
you ever driven a donkey ? there are num- 
bers about.” 

“ Yes, ma’am ; Will Spears was ill not very 
long ago, and I drove his donkey-chair for a 
whole week ; his master said, I only wanted a 
little practice to make me a very good driver, 
and regretted he could not employ me.” 

“ Supposing you were to purchase a don- 
key and chaise, do you think you could 
manage to keep them clean and tidy ? ” 

“ Certainly ma’am, if I had the means ; 
but though the donkey would feed partly on 
the downs, yet in cold weather, it could not 
pick up much : I have no shelter for it, or 
the chaise, nor would three pounds buy 
both, as well as the harness, though I were 
to get a second-hand chaise.” 

“ But I am so pleased with all I have 
heard of your character, and with all I have 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

Been of your conduct, that I am willing to 
aid you in any plan that you may adopt to 
better yourself — your three pounds will go 
far towards buying a good donkey I should 
think, would it not ? ” 

“ Oh ma’am, I can purchase an excellent 
one for two pounds five.” 

“Then you will have fifteen shillings 
remaining to buy my little poney-chaise, 
it is very light, and I am willing to let you 
have it a bargain, as I think you will make 
a good use of it. The harness, you had 
better have new : I will order it to day, and 
you must pay me its cost by small portions. 
Now this scheme will enable you to keep 
at home, where I will order the carpenter to 
put up a cheap shed for your chaise and 

donkey in very bad weather No more 

thanks, my little man — in assisting two 
young orphans, I am only doing my duty; 
whilst your own admirable conduct, renders 
the obligation a sincere pleasure. You are 
now reaping the reward of virtue — go and 
inform Tommy of your good fortune — a good 
fortune which I hope may prove of advantage 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

to you both ; I saw him a few minutes since 
with his sheep on the downs : here, take these 
two rolls, you can give him one of them.” 

“ But Mrs. Grantham, may he not stay one 
moment, until I give him mamma’s message ; 
I am sure it will please him so much, and 
you too, and Alice, will be glad to hear of the 
good luck in store for him : I was just going 
to inform you of it, when Frank came in, and 
we have been so busy since, that I had 
nearly forgotten to mention it at all.” 

“ That would have been a pity, indeed, 
Mary, but what is your message, dear ?” 

“ My uncle, Major Bradshaw, has re- 
quested mamma to. engage a person to clean 
Robert’s pony every night and morning, and 
in fine weather it must be saddled and 
bridled before breakfast. Aunt Fanny pre- 
sented it to him, on his birth-day, on con- 
dition that he rides it every day, if the 
weather admits of his doing so ; poor Robert 
has been very ill, and his papa and mamma 
think he does not get out enough in the 
fresh air. It is quite a little creature, my 
cousin writes us, but then it requires to be 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 


taken care of, just as if it were a big horse, 
you know. Now mamma thought Frank 
could rub it down and feed it quite as well 
as any one else, as she understands he is so 
steady and trustworthy. They return from 
London on Friday next, when Frank must 
be in attendance, unless his donkey and 
chaise should prevent his undertaking the 
care of little Leapwell, and Robert’s dog, 

Piy” r 

“ No, miss, no, I am only too glad to do 
anything — I might be out driving, I did 
not remember this. It is unfortunate : what 
had I better do, ma’am ?” 

“ First let ns hear at what time you 
would be wanted, then we can decide.” 

“ I do not think there need be any 
difficulty about the time. My uncle's 
gardener, mamma said, can saddle the 
pony, should Robert require it at any mo- 
ment when Frank might be elsewhere; all 
i hat this latter would necessarily have to do, 
would be to attend to master Leapwell 
night and morning. A few minutes are 
easily found.” 

“ Yes, Mary dear, but would they be the 


THE TWO BROTHERS; OR, 

right minutes ? that is the question, for 
perhaps Frank might be driving, when he 
ought to be attending to the toilet of mas- 
ter Leapwell. What do you think, love ? 
for it is better the boy should lose a job, 
than break an engagement.” 

“ But mamma said she would explain 
matters to uncle Bradshaw, who is very 
kind-hearted, and we all believe that he will 
employ Frank if possible, even though it 
should be at some slight inconvenience.” 

“Please ma’am, it is not very likely that 
I should be out with my donkey-chair late, 
and if it should occur, I am sure the gar- 
dener would kindly rub down Master Brad- 
shaw’s pony for me, if the Major would 
allow him to do so.” 

“ Then you know Major Bradshaw’s 
gardener, do you? ” 

“ Oh yes, ma’am ; I often help him to 
water his plants of an evening, and he has 
occasionally given me a threepenny piece for 
weeding or picking up stones.” 

“Well children, then I think we have 
done all we can at present do, towards 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

making Frank and Tommy comfortable ; 
the rest, must depend on themselves : and 
let me observe, that their present good 
fortune, is, under Providence, wholly owing 
to their own excellent conduct ; and more 
especially to that of Frank, who as the elder, 
has set an admirable example to his brother, 
which this latter has not been slow to 
follow. You, my dear child, ” pursued 
Mrs. Grantham, addressing Frank, “ have 
indeed followed the precepts of the gospel ; 
you have proved yourself, and that under 
the most trying circumstances, a parent to 
the orphan! for young as you are, your 
brother has found in you, through your 
kindness, consideration and industry, both a 
father and a mother ! Pray to God that you 
may continue in the course you have began, 
and doubt not but the blessing of our 
Heavenly Father will ever attend you; 
whilst your endeavours to obtain a virtuous 
independence, will, as in the present in- 
stance, be assisted by* friends whom He 
provides you ; or should it be His pleasure 
that you should be disappointed in your 


THE TWO BROTHERS. 


hopes, be certain, that He will not forsake 
you, but that His Holy Spirit will comfort 
you in whatever troubles you may have to 
bear — and you, my dear children, never for- 
get that even a child can please God, by lov- 
ing its neighbour as well as itself ! During 
the last few weeks, you have each of you, in 
different ways, sacrificed SELF, for the bene- 
fit of others. True, the sacrifice has not been 
great — opportunities for great sacrifices are 
of rare occurrence, whilst trifling ones, can 
be made frequently; and these, you have 
fortunately been enabled to make, and with 
a cheerfulness which I hope will increase as 
future occasions may present themselves for 
its exercise. By a little self-denial, children 
may often influence the happiness of others 
to a degree, of which, in their early age, 
they can themselves, form no just estimate ; 
but when, unselfishly , they yield their own 
interest or their own pleasure, for the interest 
or the pleasure of another, they may ever 
feel assured, that they are following at an 
humble distance, the example of their Lord 
and Saviour. 


THE UTILE CCWSL1P GATHERERS. 

Mrs. Grantham and the children having 
wished Frank good night, this latter hasten- 
ed home that he might communicate to 
Tommy and their friend, the joyful tidings 
that henceforth he should be able to provide 
for himself and Dame Hill, whilst he might 
at the same time add a trifle to his brother’s 
small earnings, and thus provide him with a 
few additional comforts. N ever had the three 
passed a pleasanter evening together, nor 
did they at its close, forget to thank their 
Heavenly Father, for having provided them 
such kind friends as they had lately found. 

The following day, Frank purchased his 
donkey, being advised in his selection of one 
by Will Spears, and the next evening the 
shed was completed, and the little chaise was 
removed to its new quarters. Frank gave 
great satisfaction to Master Bradshaw, whoso 
pony was kept in the best order ; it is true, 
Frank could not always be on the spot to 
saddle Leapwell, but the gardener was always 
ready to do any thing to assist the good-na- 
tured boy, who had so often helped him to 
water his plants of an evening. Frank be. 


THE TWO BROTHERS, OR 

came one of the teachers in the Sunday 
school he had so long attended as a scholar; 
whilst neither he nor Tommy ever omitted 
going to church, unless unavoidably pre- 
vented. 

In the course of four or five years, Frank 
by his civility and industry, had contrived 
to amass money sufficient to apprentice him- 
self to a cabinet maker ; and so admirably 
has he conducted himself since his appren- 
ticeship, that his master has promised to 
give him a share in the business, when he 
shall have served out his time. 

Tommy remained as assistant shepherd 
for three years, when Mrs. Grantham requir- 
ing a boy, she kindly engaged him, and he 
is now learning his business under an excel- 
lent man who has for many years been Mrs. 
Grantham’s head gardener, and who has 
promised that, should Tommy continue as 
attentive and industrious as he has been 
hitherto, he shall be fit in a couple more 
years to take entire charge of Major Brad- 
shaw’s garden ; as his present gardener is 
getting too old for the situation. 


THE LITTLE COWSLIP GATHERERS. 

Dame Hill is as happy as any good old 
woman can possibly be ; she mends and 
washes for Frank and Tommy ; cooks their 
meals for them, and always has a nicely 
. swept room against their return, after they 
have finished their day's work. Were they 
her own sons, they could not be more at- 
tentive than they are, to obtain for their 
kind old friend, all the comforts her age and 
infirmities require. Before going out in the 
morning, Frank gets her whatever water she 
may want during his absence, whilst Tommy 
never fails to bring in the little fuel she may 
require. Nor are any of their kind friends 
forgotten ; indeed, when Alice last paid a 
visit to Clifton, Frank presented her with a 
beautiful little mahogany box, the work of 
his own hands ; and a new flower pot, con- 
taining a very fine rose, was Tommy’s ac 
ceptable gift to the delighted Hayworths. 

The little Hayworths were so much pleas- 
ed at the successful resuit of their first 
savings, that they have continued to set; 
apart a portion of their pocket money, in 
order to help their poor and necessitous neigh- 


THE TWO BROTHERS, OR 

bors. Two families have already benefited 
from their charitable contributions; and when' 
last I spent an evening in their society, I 
heard them discussing a point pn which there 
appeared to be much difference of opinion. 

Edward thought they should do more 
good by giving the seventeen shillings they 
had saved, to a lame man who wished to 
purchase toys for a stall ; whilst Emma and 
Mary had set their hearts on relieving a 
poor woman, whose husband was just dead, 
and whose young and helpless children were 
very badly off for food and clothing. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hayworth being from home, my advice 
was requested, and that I might be able to* 
form a clear judgment on the subject, I was 
taken to visit both the parties in question. 

It was very hard to decide which of the 
two stood in most need of the assistance 
my kind little companions were so anxious 
to offer, but seeing that the widow's recent 
loss had raised her up several unexpected 
friends, whilst poor Joe Thomson’s sudden 
lameness seemed to have created less sym- 
pathy, I could not but decide in favor of 


THE LITTLE COWSLTP GATHERERS. 

Edward’s wishes ; advising that the toys 
should be purchased with the money now in 
hand, when, in case the widow’s present 
friends should tire of affording her requisite 
help, the next savings of these benevolent 
young people could be devoted to Mrs. 
Meekim ; and to this counsel the girls cheer- 
fully yielded, and the more gladly, that their 
brothel 1 proposed only half the money should 
be given to Joe, the remainder being consid- 
ered as a loan, which he was to return by 
small portions. 

Alice puts her savings also to a good use, 
but I understand from her grandmamma, 
whom I frequently visit, that she spends 
them in a different manner from her young 
friends, the Hayworths. Mrs. Grantham 
tells me that two little girls and a boy owe 
their schooling to the generosity of her 
favorite grandchild. The example this good 
child sets to her brothers and sisters, has 
likewise been the means of inducing them 
to follow so excellent a pattern, and, as they 
are older than Alice, they are often possessed 
of much more money, and are thus more 


THE TWO BROTHERS. 


able than she is, to aid the needy and afflict- 
ed. As I intend paying their parents a 
visit during the present year, I may perhaps 
tell my little readers something more about 
this happy family, more especially regarding 
Spencer Mount, whose sweet temper, engag- 
ing manners, and excellent principles, render 
him the favorite among his play-fellows, as 
well as among his brothers and sisters. 

No one for an instant ever thinks of 
doubting an assertion made by Spencer 
Mount ! And then, is a poor neighbour 
in want, from whom is he "more likely to 
meet with the aid required, than from 
Master Spencer ? who would deprive him- 
self of any gratification, to secure the wel- 
fare and happiness of a fellow-creature. 

As I think my young readers, would 
perhaps like to hear farther of this same 
Spencer Mount, I may probably gratify 
their curiosity on some future occasion. 



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JJamma’s: f ttbpi 

a good grandson; 

OR, 

THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET-MONEY. 


BY 

THE CHILD’S FRIEND. 


jji'rst American from tfre 2F&fr& Llitflltsf) SEtnttonu, 



H AYE S & ZELL. 


LONDON: WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1857 . 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
HAYES & ZELL, 

in the C erk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 


STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. 









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A Holiday I A Holiday I- 



THE 


1VAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY. 


CHAPTER I. 

holiday ! a holiday !” 
shouted Frank and 
Arthur Graves. “ A 
holiday, a holiday/’ re- 
echoed their two young 
sisters, Eva and Mary. 
“ Oh, is it not kiud of 
our dear mamma to 
give us a holiday this afternoon?” And the 
whole party joined in chorus, whilst Trip, 
Arthurs dog, barked, and all capered about 
in the highest glee. 

It was a pleasont May day, and the de- 
lighted group, having put away books, 
slates, pens, work-boxes, and whatever be- 
longed to their school-room occupations, lost 
no time in hastening to a large green field 
adjoining their father’s pretty summer cot- 



THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

tage ; and where they thought they should 
find a plentiful supply of violets among the 
banks of the hedges. What was their dis- 
appointment to discover that some one else 
had been before them ! For a moment, lit- 
tle Mary felt very much inclined to give way 
to tears. I regret to have such a confession 
to make of my little favorite ; but Mary was 
very young — only just five years old and one 
month ! To see scarcely a flower, where 
she had expected to find more than she 
could gather, was almost a greater trial than 
she could bear with patience ; and her 
bright blue eyes filled with tears. 

“ Oh, dear Eva, look at Mary 1” cried 
Frank, forgetting his own disappointment 
on seeing the grief of the family pet. “ No 
use crying, Mary, dearest.” 

“ No, indeed,” added Eva kindly ; “you 
must not be a baby, Mary, to cry because 
there are fewer violets to be seen than we 
thought were in the field ; come, come, let 
us pick the few that remain ; and do not 
be silly, darling.” 

“ Silly or not silly ; I do not wonder at 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

Mary’s being ready to cry ; it is very pro- 
voking!” exclaimed Arthur, “why there 
arc scarcely a dozen violets left.” 

“ But Arthur, dear,” answered Eva, “ you 
forget Mamma told us yesterday that chil- 
dren ought to bear patiently the little trials 
to which they are subjected, or else they 
would not follow the example of Jesus 
Christ.” 

“ Yes, besides, if we are to sit down and 
cry over every trifling disappointment, in- 
stead of meeting it bravely or trying to 
remedy the evil, people will laugh at us 
cried Frank. “ Are there no violets else- 
where ?” 

“ I think we may perhaps find some in 
the narrow lane leading from the turnip 
field to farmer Drew’s cottage. It is very re- 
tired, and he does not allow the village chil- 
dren to play within his grounds; probably, if 
we were to ask permission, he would let us 
gather some on his side of the hedge : Ar- 
thur, run and ask him, see, he is in his car- 
rot field, going towards those two people 
beneath that old tree : you, Frank, can go 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

and tell mamma where we think of going. 
Mary and I will stay here.” 

The boys soon returned. Frank said his 
mother was willing they should go on any 
part of the good farmer’s grounds, whilst 
Arthur reported that Mr Brew gave them 
leave to go to the desired field, or any of the 
neighbouring ones ; for he knew they would 
do him no mischief ; he added, the farmer 
had given them permission to take up a tur- 
nip, to eat after their search for flowers : and 
Frank produced some biscuits his mamma 
had provided him with for the same purpose. 
The whole party, in the course of a very 
short time, were busily engaged gathering 
violets ; Eva and Arthur filling their baskets 
from those growing in the hedges that bor- 
dered the lane, whilst Frank, having lifted 
Mary over the stile, picked up quantities a- 
long a small brook which skirted the bottom 
of the farmer’s turnip field, till having got 
as many as he required for himself, he assist- 
ed Mary to fill her basket. At the end of 
a couple of hours, they were satisfied with 
their morning’s work,, and looked about to 


OR, JOHNNY A.ND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


discover some shady spot, where they might- 
refresli themselves with their biscuits, and 
the nice cool turnip Parmer Drew had allow- 
ed them to take. A fine old ever-green 
which overhung the brook afforded the lit- 
tle party sufficient security from the sun, as 
it was not very hot at that early season, and 
the girls seated themselves on a bit of soft 
turf their brother Prank had cleared of 
stones, whilst Arthur dragged two large 
stones to the place that they might serve 
Prank and himself for chairs. And never 
was there a happier party than now sat 
down to devour their eatables. But unfor- 
tunately the one turnip did not satisfy their 
thirst ; two were wanted ! 

“ I will get another in a minute, this one 
was smaller than I thought and Arthur 
jumped up to do as he had just said. 

“ Stop, stop, Arthur ! farmer Drew only 
told you we might have one.” 

“ But Eva, I am sure he would not ob- 
ject to our having two ; he did not seem 
to care much about it, when I asked him if 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

“ Eva is right ! He might not like us to 
take two, though he was willing for us to 
have the one we have eaten. We have no 
right to gather more/’ 

“ How you talk, Frank ! to suppose that 
farmer Drew cares for our taking a few 
turnips. I dm almost sure that had I asked 
him for two, he would have said, ‘ Take 
them, and as many more as you like, sir/ 
It is all nonsense/ , 

“ Nonsense or no nonsense, Arthur, 
Frank speaks the truth. We have no right 
to gather more than the one we have eaten. 
Had you asked him for two, and Mr. Drew 
had told you to take them, it would have 
been quite another affair, but you did not 
ask for the two, he did not give you leave to 
take more than one, and to take two would 
be as bad as stealing/’ 

“ Stealing ! Taking a couple of turnips 
stealing ! why Eva, you are crazy ! ” 

“ Indeed, Arthur, we should be stealing, 
just as much as the boy who, papa told us, 
had been sentenced to a fortnight’s imprison- 
ment for pulling up half a dozen carrots out 


OH, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

of a field belonging to squire Mason.” 

“ But Eva, that boy was not a gentleman, 
lie was a boy minding sheep, and he made 
his dinner of Mr Mason’s carrots.” 

“ And because we are richer, and have a 
good dinner at home, and only want the 
turnip to quench our thirst, have we more 
right to take what is not our own, than Dick 
Wilson who is poor, probably had no dinner 
awaiting his return home, and took the car- 
rots to satisfy his hunger ?” 

“ Oh, mamma says, that rich people ought 
to set a good example to the poor/’ 

“ Yes, Mary, but I cannot see any harm 
in our taking just one turnip.” 

“ Oh, but it would be breaking the eighth 
commandment. I learnt it yesterday.” 

“ Why, what a fuss you all make ; taking 
one turnip from Mr. Drew, is not as though 
I took a dozen ! He would never complain, 
I am sure.” 

“ Perhaps, Arthur, out of respect to papa 
and mamma, he would not complain, but he 
would not again be so willing for us to en- 
ter his field; i nd papa explained to Frank 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

and me yesterday, that we offend God, if 
we wilfully sin in the most trifling affair : 
you would not do this ?” 

“ Certainly not ; but I did not think of 
it in such a serious light before ; I do be- 
lieve now, that we should be wrong in tak- 
ing the turnip. What shall we do, howev- 
er ? for this long talk has not quenched our 
thirst.” 

“ If you will wait here with the girls, I 
will run towards our old gardener’s cottage. 
I know it is not far from this field, and I 
can probably find a short cut to it. Perhaps 
I can get a little milk there.” 

“Do, Frank ; Have you money ? If not, 
here is a fourpenny piece.” 

“ Thanks, I have a few pence in my 
purse, but Margery will not take any 
money, I am sure. I will not be gone five 
minutes, so do not leave.” 

“ Oh, Eva, why not let ns all go ; it 
will be such fun, and I am sure I should 
like to see old Will’s good-natured dame. 
Would not you, Mary, and I am sure you 
would, dear Eva.” 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


“I should like to go very much, 
Arthur; but I was thinking that as I 
shall be obliged to return the Cranworths 
their books they so kindly lent me, un- 
less I just take a peep in this last volume, 
I shall have to give it back without even 
looking into it.” 

“ Have you got it with you ?” 

“ Yes, Frank ; I have always kept one 
of them in my pocket, for the chance of 
getting a spare moment, they are so 
pretty.” 

“ When must you return them ?” 

“This evening, Arthur. Agnes told 
me this morning, they set off for London 
to-morrow at ten o’clock.” 

“Do you think you must give them 
back to-day ? I do not believe Agnes will 
want them in London ! So much to do 
there.” 

“Yet, she did not say I might keep 
them, Arthur ; and so, I cannot think of 
doing so.” 

“ I meant to have read these books my- 
self; but I have not had the time.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 

“ I told you they were very interesting, 
Frank; yet I make no doubt but that 
they will willingly lend them us again, 
when they return here in the autumn.” 

“ I wonder if they do want to read 
them in London ?” 

“I do not think they will even take 
them to London, Frank.” 

“Then what folly, I say, to return 
them, until you have quite finished with 
their contents !” 

“ As I said before, Arthur, Agnes never 
said I might keep them ; though I told 
her, Frank had not read any one of them ; 
and that I, also, had still one to finish ; 
evidently, she wants them returned before 
they leave.” 

“ What nonsense — to take away a book 
from a person who is reading it, to lie it 
on a shelf! I would not send them back, 
not I, indeed.” 

“ But, Arthur, you would have no right 
to keep that which belongs to another 
party ! Besides, perhaps you are wrong 
in thinking they merely want them back 


OR, JOHNNY AND JITS GRANDMOTHER. 


to lie idle on the shelf ; they may want to 
lend them to others; or, perhaps, their 
mamma likes all their things put away 
before they leave home. At any rate, we 
have no right to keep another person’s 
property against their will.” 

“ I suppose you are right, Eva ; yet it 
is provoking, for you say there is some 
nice reading among them. What is that 
short tale ?” 

“ Which short tale, Arthur?” 

“ The one I heard you promise to read 
to Mary a little while since.” 

“ Oh, she begged me to read her, ‘ In- 
tegrity Kewarded.’ ” 

“ Is it in that book ?” 

“Yes, Arthur; Mary peeped into it as 
I was putting it in my pocket.” 

“ Will you read it aloud, whilst Frank 
goes for the milk, dear Eva ?” 

“ Yes, Arthur, with pleasure ; if you 
prefer our reading it, instead of going 
with Frank.” 

“ I beg your pardon, Mistress Eva ; but 
if you read aloud, I shall do myself the 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


honor of listening to your charming voice. 
I want to hear that tale particularly.” 

“Well, just sit down at once, then; 
and when I have read it, we can all go 
with you, Frank.” 

“ Admirably arranged, madam. I had 
no idea of going off after milk, whilst you 
were all enjoying yourselves with a de- 
lightful book.” 

“ I have so often named the books to 
you, Frank, and you have never yet 
deigned to give them a quarter of an 
hour’s examination, that really I thought 
you were quite indifferent to them and 
their contents ; or I should certainly not 
have made arrangements for reading this 
little story during your absence. I hope, 
sir, this apology is sufficient !” 

“Quite so, madam; only I must in- 
struct you that the indifference of which 
you accuse me, is only in appearance and 
not in reality. Had I time — time — I 
should read every word of the book your 
excellent judgment has so highly praised.” 

“ Come, come, cease these compliments, 

















































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OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

“ Frank, do be quiet, if you please, sir. 
I want to hear the story 

“ I am silent, Master Arthur.” 

“ Now, dear Eva, I have put my pocket- 
handkerchief on this spot, and here you 
will have an excellent seat as long as you 
choose to read to us.” 

“ Thank you, dear Arthur; you have 
arranged so admirably, that I shall be 
quite protected from the sun ; and little 
Mary can sit down by my side.” 

“And Frank and I will lie down at 
your feet.” 

“ Do not go to sleep, that is all.” 

“No danger of that! when a fairy 
story is in question.” 

“ I do not feel a bit inclined to sleep ; 
* do look at those geese ! I hope they are 
not going to disturb our tranquillity by 
their hissing.” 

“ Fortunately, they seem asleep ! Come, 
boys, sit or lie down.” 


CHAPTER II. 



0 you find 
that seat 
comfortable, 
Eva?” 


“ Quite so, 
Arthur ; and 
the birds sing 


so sweetly, that one might stay here for 
hours.” 

“ I should have no objection, provided, 
however, we had a trifle to eat, and that 
you would relate us stories all the time.” 

“ I think it would be fair, Arthur, that 
you should tell one in return for mine ; 
that is the way our cousins always do. 

“ A very good plan too, I think.” 

“Yes, Frank; on half holidays, we 
girls used to take our work to some shady 
spot, and there we would listen to the pro- 
ductions of the two boys or, to our own.” 

“ Well, tell us your story now, quick, 


OR, JOHNNY AND IIIS GRANDMOTHER. 

if you please ; we shall get neither story 
nor milk.” 

“Well, seat yourselves, here is the 
story; mamma liked it very much indeed.” 

“ Is it a true one ?” 

“ That I cannot tell you. I have some 
idea that it is true ; but I am not certain, 
Mary.” 

“ I should prefer it were it true.” 

“Well, Frank, be it truth or fiction, 
here it is for you.” 

Integrity Rewarded. 

“Oh, Harry, see what I have found!” 
observed a handsome, bright-faced and 
curly-pated little ragged boy, showing a 
red pocket-book to his brother, and telling 
him at the same time, he had just picked 
it up in the gutter. 

“ What is it?” inquired the other, run- 
ning towards the first speaker, and ad- 
dressing him in a tone of curiosity, with 
eagerness in his eyes and a look of as- 
tonishment. 

“ It is a pretty leather book,” replied 
the boy, “ but it is strange ! I cannot find 


THE W-AY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY ; 


any of the leaves. See here, not a leaf 
to be seen; how very funny!” 

“ Why, it is what gentlefolks keep their 
money in,” said Harry, “ and perhaps, 
James, we may find some here.” So say- 
ing, he opened the book, and was both 
delighted and astonished at the pleasing 
sight which met his gaze. 

“Oh,” exclaimed Harry, “whatever do 
I see! Why we are rich for life; we 
shall never want for any thing; shall 
never be 'poor again as long as we live !” 

“ Indeed, brother,” said J ames, gravely 
shaking his head, “ I doubt we shall never 
be the richer for what is here.” 

“Why so?” quickly demanded Harry, 
in surprise. “ Do you not see all this ? 
look here, why do you say so?” 

“ Because I recollect that mother once 
told us to be particular, and always to re- 
member, that what we found was not our 
own ; and you know, brother, that I have 
always minded what she said, much more 
now she is dead , than when she was alive, 
as she told us to be sure and do,” 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

“Then what must we do?” good- 
humoredly inquired the other, for he was 
as well-principled a boy as his younger 
brother ; only he was rather less thought- 
ful, and had wholly forgotten his mother’s 
excellent precepts, in the surprise and 
delusive hopes of the moment. 

“ We must try and find out to whom 
this pocket-book belongs.” 

Just as Janies had made this wise ob- 
servation, he saw a gentleman looking on 
the ground very intently. 

“Have you lost anything, pray, sir?” 
demanded the honest-hearted boy, quickly 
approaching the stranger. 

“Yes, my lad,” returned the gentle- 
man, without raising his eyes ; he was so 
much engaged in searching the ground. 

“ Then, sir,” said James, producing the 
book, “ I believe my brother has been 
lucky enough to find the prize; this pocket- 
book he picked up within ten minutes.” 

The gentleman instantly seized the 
book, and saw it contained the sum he 
had so lately lost. He first gazed upon 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY ; 


his recovered treasure, and then upon 
those who had been the fortunate means 
of restoring it to him so unexpectedly. 

“ So wretched in person , and yet so rich 
in mind !” cried he. “ Who are you, my 
honest fellows?” he continued, “ and 
where did you learn such admirable prin- 
ciples ?” 

“We are two poor orphans” answered 
the boys; “but our dear mother, when 
she was alive, always taught us what was 
right.” 

“Well, my noble lads,” rejoined the 
gentleman, “you shall no longer suffer 
from an orphan state, for I will be a 
friend and father to you. Henceforth, 
you are under my protection. I have no 
children, and I will be a parent to you 
both.” 

The two boys were totally unable to 
reply to such an unexpected proof of re- 
gard; and the stranger ordered them to 
follow him to an hotel, when a tailor was 
sent for, and they were completely clothed 
in suitable garments. The following 


•diqs s.jsqiojq ano 











OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

week they were sent to school, where by 
attention and industry they soon re- 
covered their lost time. James received 
an education for the bar ; and Henry was 
brought up to the church. Each of them 
was raised to an eminence in his profes- 
sion, and both grew up virtuous and 
honest men. 

“ I like that tale very much, indeed ; 
they were two noble boys ; but I think I 
like the character of James the best.” 

“We must not judge Harry harshly; 
he was not so thoughtful as his younger 
brother ; but when reminded of his duty, 
he at once cheerfully obeyed. Yet I 
think with you, Arthur, that James’s cha- 
racter is to be preferred.” 

“ He appeared to remember his mother’s 
advice, as though he took a pleasure in 
carrying it into practice. Do you not 
think so, Eva ?” 

“Yes, Frank; and as though he did 
nothing without first thinking if his 
mother would have approved its being 
done.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY ; 

“ Poor boys, how fortunate they found 
a friend ! ” 

“ Yes, indeed, Arthur ; and it was their 
honesty found them one.” 

“But, Eva, do you not think that James 
loved his mother more than his brother 
did?” 

“ No, Frank ; why do you ask ?” 

“ It seems to me, that had Harry loved 
his mother as much as James did, he 
would have remembered her advice.” 

“But, Frank, we often forget what 
mamma and papa desire us to do ! and 
yet, I should be sorry to imagine we do 
not love them very much indeed.” 

“ Mamma says, Eva, that as a general 
rule, the more children love their parents, 
the more will they try to obey their 
slightest wish; and that, forgetfulness is 
too frequently the result" of indifference.” 

“I should be glad to think the case 
were otherwise, Frank; and yet I am 
afraid mamma is right! For we know, 
if we want to show our love to one of our 
cousins; or to dear little Mary; or to 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 27 


each other; we try to do something we 
know will give pleasure.” 

“ Yet, Eva, may we not sometimes for- 
get others, not through indifference, but 
through thinking a great deal of our own 
likes and dislikes ?” 

“Ah, that papa terms selfishness, Ar- 
thur; it is being thoughtless to others, 
but thoughtful of ourselves !” 

“Oh, I would not be selfish, Eva!” 

“ And I am sure you are not, my dear 
little Mary.” 

“But, Frank, are you not going for 
milk ? I am so very thirsty.” 

“ Certainly, dear, I will go at once. I 
only waited to hear Eva read about J ames 
and Harry; and then we began talking, 
and I forgot the milk altogether. Is any 
one coming with me ?” 

“ I vote for all of us going ?” 

“ But, Arthur, will Mary be able to go 
there, after running about all the morn- 
ing ?” 

“Yes, yes, Eva; I do not feel one bit 
tired.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


“Yet, mamma said, we were to be 
careful and not let you fatigue yourself, 
for as we are to go to aunt Maria’s to- 
morrow, you will have to get up very 
early in the morning, and we shall not 
return till very late in the evening ; so 
mamma seemed to think you would have 
a hard day’s work.” 

“But what a pleasant day we shall 
have* Eva. I do like paying a visit to 
aunt Maria; we have such fun there.” 

“ Yes ; and now there are two children 
staying at Cream Cottage ; a boy and a 
girl.” 

“ Who are they, Frank ?” 

“ I believe their name is Pilgrim ; their 
parents are absent in India ; and the bro- 
ther and sister have been sent to England 
for education. Mamma has seen them, 
and says they appear very nice children, 
and that they are full of fun ; so I make 
no doubt, Arthur, but that we shall have 
a delightful day.” 

“I never imagined there were children 
at aunt Maria’s ; we shall have a delight- 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


ful day ! and — and, as for being tired, that 
will not signify, a good night’s sleep will 
make all right again. Will it not, Frank V 

“Yes, for us, Arthur; but perhaps 
little Mary, who has so lately recovered 
from whooping-cough, may not so easily 
get over a long day’s fatigue.” 

“ Still, I think, Eva, we might venture 
to accompany Frank ; the distance is not 
so very great, indeed, Eva.” 

“Yes, Eva; we know the situation of 
places about here better than you do ; we 
have become acquainted with every nook 
and corner; whilst your absence at 
Brighton, has kept you in comparative 
ignorance. Arthur is right, the distance 
is not great ; whilst the sun is not so hot 
as it was, and we should have shade part 
of the day ; besides, old Margery will be 
glad to see you; we assured her you 
would be at home one day this week. I 
do think we may venture.” 

“Yes, Frank is right, dear Eva; the 
distance is not far. I heard papa say last 
night that Margery lived near us.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


“ Well, darling, we will try it, at any 
rate. I only hesitated on your account." 

“ But, Eva, dear ; when we first named 
the subject, you appeared to have no 
thought of its being too long a walk for 
Mary." 

“ To say the truth, Arthur, I was at 
the moment so much interested about the 
little book, that I quite forgot mamma’s 
injunctions regarding dear Mary; but yet 
you must know better than I, since you 
have been more about the neighborhood ; 
so let us go ; only, I think it will be wiser 
to keep in the shade as much as possible." 

“ What did you do during the winter 
evenings at Brighton, when you could not 
accompany your aunt and cousins." 

“ Oh, they have such a nice old nurse 
there ; she has lived in the family ever 
since aunt Selina was born ; and now, 
she is so fond of the children, and she is 
so good-natured, that it is quite delightful 
to have her to converse with for a couple 
of hours. When aunt and the girls went 
out, on such days as I could not be of 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


their party, I used to steal into nurse 
Carrie’s room; and there I would stay 
quite contented, listening to her long 
stories.” 

“ Did she tell stories, then ?” 

“ Yes, indeed, Arthur ; by the dozen.” 

“ What about, Eva ?” 

“ About everything you can imagine.” 

“ Do you think you can remember them 
sufficiently well to repeat them to us, 
Eva?” 

“ That question I cannot answer. I 
cannot repeat her stories so well as nurse 
Carrie told them to me ; she has such a 
pleasant manner of telling an anecdote.” 

“ And did she tell you fairy tales ?” 

“ Occasionally, Arthur.” 

“ Really, dear Eva, you have not read 
to us for a whole quarter of an hour. 
When we finished that tale, it was half- 
past ten and, now it wants exactly fifteen 
minutes to eleven. Do tell us something.” 

“ But what must I tell you, Arthur ?” 

“ Anything you like — the first story 
that enters your head.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


“ Let us hasten toward Dame Margery’s, 
Arthur ; and I will tell you one on the 
way.” 

“ Dear Eva, did you see my new toy, 
the one aunt Margaret gave me ?” 

“ No, dear ; you must show it me when 
we get home again.” 

“ Oh, it is beautiful ! Aunty brought 
it to me, just after dinner, one day last 
week ; and said, if mamma chose, I might 
take a walk with her; but I would much 
rather have stayed at home, and played 
with my Noah’s ark, and Willie’s new 
doll.” 

“But I hope you did not object to ac- 
company aunt Margaret, my darling ?” 

“Not ex — not exactly; I only said I 
would prefer remaining at home; but I 
went, because mamma said I must ; and I 
did not cry ! I was afraid Willie would 
break my new toy ; but mamma gave it 
to Lucy to put away for me.” 

“I am glad you went, darling. And 
now, Arthur, I will tell you a short fairy 
story.” 


But I would much rathor have stayed at home, and played with my Noah’s ark. 


I 



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CHAPTER III. 


HANKS, 
dearest Eva, 
for your story. 
I fear we have 
no time for 
another, at 

present.” 

“ No, Arthur ; we must be near Dame 
Margery’s ; that is, if we are ever to reach 
her cottage.” 

“It is nearly three months since we 
have paid her a visit ; so we deferred our 
visit to their new residence, until you 
should have returned ; and when we met 
her one day last week, I promised we 
would all go there when you came back.” 

“ Who shall go into the cottage ?” 

“You, if you like, Arthur; you can 
enter and introduce Miss Graves; dear 
Eva’s health is so much improved, that 
Margery will hardly recognize her again.” 



THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


“ Yes, indeed, let us all go, Frank, and 
then Eva can tell her mamma wishes to see 
her some evening. I heard her tell papa so 
last night. 

“ What shall we do with all the violets 
we have gathered, ,, said Frank. 1 

“ Cannot we take them with us, they are 
not so very heavy, surely ? ” 

“ But you forget, Mary, that carrying 
them so far through the heat, will perhaps 
kill them, and certainly it will do them no 
good.” 

“ Hurrah for the boy that has a bright 
idea 1” exclaimed Arthur, throwing up his 
cap high in the air ; “bring me the baskets ; 
they will do here admirably till our return ; 
just look only, they are completely shaded 
from the sun by this tall grass ; I do not 
think it is very green ; it looks as though it 
might be some that was grown last year ; 
but no matter for its being brownish, it and 
this old tree, will keep our violets from be- 
ing faded, particularly as the ground is so 
damp.” 

“ Yes, you have chosen an excellent spot 


The Children accompany their Parents to yiew a Regatta. 







THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MON hi V. 

for the purpose/’ observed Frank, as he 
watched his brother partially conceal their 
flowers in the grass. 

Having left the field, Frank led the way 
round a large farm yard, which the owner 
was crossing on horseback, through a beau- 
tiful green meadow, and past an old coun- 
try church, when they found themselves in 
a narrow lane in which the girls had not 
previously been. 

“ Frank, where are we ?” I do not like 
going far from home ; mamma may feel 
uneasy at our taking Mary such a dis- 
tance/’ 

The boys laughed heartily at Eva’s fears, 
and directed her attention to the pretty lit- 
tle cottage which was almost concealed from 
view, by a large group of trees, and which 
turned out to be their own. It stood within 
a quarter of a mile of the party ; and at 
once satisfied, Eva asked what Frank in- 
tended to do now : for he seemed puzzled 
as to what he should do next. 

“ I think old Will has moved lately. I 
heard he had taken one of farmer Ilartly’s 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

cottages ; and if so, this lane must lead to 
it ; suppose we try V* 

“ Agreed, it is very shady : but as you 
and Arthur have spent the four last sum- 
mers in the neighbourhood, I do think, gen- 
tlemen, you might have known your way a- 
bout it a little better than you do : why I 
know my way all about Brighton, though my 
health did not allow of my going out half 
so often as our aunt and cousins did.” 

“But you forget, Miss Eva, that our 
knowing the way to all the places about, 
would not tell us to what particular cottage 
old Will has removed.” 

“ Yes, Miss Graves, Frank says the truth 
there ; and I do think that he has shown 
no little skill, in having brought you such 
a short cut, and such a pretty walk, to 
within five minutes’ walk of your own door.” 

“ I suppose I must admit my ingratitude, 
but little Mary is all anxiety for the prom- 
ised milk ; I do hope your skill will enable 
us to find it.” 

“ Come along, then ; on our return we 
will gather a few of these primroses : they 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

are very late ones ; the deep shade of the 
hedge preserves them I imagine, but they 
are not at all fine, are they ?” 

“No Frank, I should say they are not 
worth picking off the ground.” 

“ But I should like a few, Eva, to mix 
with the violets, only a few/’ 

“ I will not have one of those mean -look- 
ing primroses in my little round basket, 
master Franky, but we will help you to 
gather some. Will not mamma and papa 
be astonished at our having gathered so 
many beautiful violets ?” and my bright 
little favourite danced and clapped her 
hands. 

“ On, on. Miss Mary, Frank and Eva 
have got the start of us.” 

Further and further down the lane the 
children ran, till they suddenly came to a 
sharp turn, on going round which, they 
found themselves in sight of a very small 
cottage standing at the corner of a field. A 
couple of elms protected it from the sun and 
wind. A few yards beyond, a rather wide 
brook, which was now much swollen by 


OH, JOHNNY AND HIS GT? VNDlfOTHFW. 


the late rains, presented a complete obstacle to 
their farther progress along the lane that 
morning. Within the door of the cottage sat 
a very old woman, busily employed in knit- 
ting ; her clothes were much patched ; but 
both she and a little boy, who was sitting- 
on a stool by her side, reading to her, 
were very clean in their persons, as well as 
in their dress. 

“ 0 1” cried Eva, “look at that wide brook, 
and there is no bridge ; Mary’s shoes are 
not strong ones ; she cannot get over with- 
out wetting herself ; and mamma does not 
like our wetting our feet. What a pity !” 

“Never mind; if we cannot find old 
Will to day, we can come another time. But 
what shall we do to quench our thirst ? Is 
that water clean ?” 

“ I do not know, Erank ; but just look 
at that pretty cottage ! why not ask that 
nice looking old woman for a cup of fresh 
water. She looks so clean/’ 

“ Yes, Eranky ; and instead of finding 
old Will’s to day, we can stop here a little, 
and look all about this pretty cottage ; it 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 


will be pleasanter than going farther this 
morning ; I am so tired, so very tired.” 

“ Why, Mary, you are soon tired ! but I 
am quite agreed. Arthur, never mind try- 
ing to find a place where we may cross the 
brook : the girls prefer not going to day ; 
come back ; and now Eva, you shall be 
spokeswoman/' 



CHAPTER IV. 


O Eva walked towards 
the door of the cottage, 
and the party followed 
her, Frank carefully clos- 
ing the little garden gate, 
when the rest had passed 
in. 

“ Good morning, young ladies and gen- 
tlemen/ ’ said the old woman, as she rose 
and met them ; “will you walk in and rest 
yourselves ?” 

“ Thanks, my good woman ; we are not 
very much tired, but we are very thirsty, 
and if this nice little boy would kindly get 
us a cup of water, we shall all feel very 
much obliged to him I assure you.” 

As Eva thus spoke, the boy, who was 
standing with the open book in his hand 
from which he had just been reading, now 
quickly laid it down on his stool, and smil- 



THE Way to spend pocket money, 

ing good humoredly, hastened, and brought 
out a clean brown stone pitcher, with which 
he ran to their garden well ; whilst the old 
woman answered : 

“ Indeed Miss, Johnny will be very glad 
to get you all some fresh water. I wish I 
could offer you some milk, or a cup of cider, 
but I and my grandson cannot afford to in- 
dulge in such luxuries.” 

“ But surely, you and Johnny have milk 
for your tea?” cried Mary. 

“No indeed, my pretty little miss, we 
have not ; we can scarcely buy bread 
enough to satisfy hunger, for though I have 
no very great appetite, yet Johnny is a 
growing boy, and though the poor child 
never complains, yet I know that he could 
often eat more than I am able to give him. ,, 

Mary might perhaps have asked more 
questions, but at that moment Johnny re- 
turned. Frank took the pitcher from him, 
whilst he fetched a couple of white mugs, 
and giving these last to Arthur, he again 
went in doors, and hastily returned with a 
stool for Mary, and a rush-bottomed chair 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

for Eva. He then wiped down his own 
little stool for Frank, and presented a kind 
of seat for Arthur, formed out of a block of 
wood, the remains of an old tree, saying he 
regretted he had no better chair to offer 
him. All this was done so quickly and with 
such evident good will, that the children 
could not but be pleased with the poor boy. 
Arthur, however, rejected the block of wood, 
as Frank did Johnny’s stool, both saying 
they preferred the soft green turf, and beg- 
ged him to be again seated, whilst they 
drank some water, after first helping their 
sisters, who by this time were chatting 
away with the old woman, who at their 
request, had seated herself again when they 
sat down. 

“ And do you live here entirely alone 
with your grandson ?” said Eva. 

“ Yes, my dear young lady, replied the 
old woman, “ I live in this bit of a cottage 
with my poor little Johnny ; he is all that 
remains of my only son. Will, his father, 
was an excellent young man ; he married ; 
but he, his wife, and two eldest children 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

died of a bad fever — all within a few days 
of each other ; leaving me a little orphan of 
two years old, to protect.” 

“ But you can scarcely now support your- 
self, I should think ?” 

“ Hard work sometimes, ma’am ; how- 
ever, Johnny is very dutiful to me : and I 
have fortunately found a kind friend in 
farmer Mills, who allows me this bit of a 
cottage and the garden that surrounds it, 
for a mere trifle ; my husband worked for 
him and his, all his life, and he has not de- 
serted the widow !” 

“I am glad he has proved so good a 
master : your husband must have been a 
valuable workman, to make farmer Mills so 
grateful,” observed Frank. 

“ My dear husband, sir, worked for his 
master as though he had been working for 
himself; he always did the very best he 
could. He was indeed a loss to me.” 

“No wonder, my good woman, but your 
grandson appears an active little fellow. v 
replied Frank, “Does he keep your garden 
in order ? it is very neat.” 





































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THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


“ Oh, yes, sir; I have no other gardener.” 

“ You have some very pretty flowers.” 

“ A few, sir; just a few common ones.” 

“ But can your grandson dig ?” 

“ Yes, Miss ; he cannot dig very hard 
ground; our bit of garden has been in 
cultivation for many years ; and so we do 
not find it as hard as a great portion of 
the ground is in this neighborhood; more- 
over, a neighbor of ours, one Andrew Ste- 
phens, sometimes pays us a kind visit, 
and he will often give Johnny a helping 
hand.” 

“ That is fortunate.” 

“Yes, young Master; with Andrew’s 
advice and occasional assistance, Johnny 
gets on without difficulty,” 

“And does he know when to plant cab- 
bages ?” 

“ Old Stephens has taught him, sir.” 

“ And to sow seed ?” 

“ There again, the same good man be- 
friends us, Miss.” 

“But, can your little grandson really 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

sow seed that will grow as well as though 
our gardener put it in the ground ?” 

“ Well, young Master, I cannot say that 
exactly; but on the whole, Johnny mana- 
ges very well.’ , 

“I see you have cabbages, too; does 
Johnny rear the plants ?” 

“ No, sir; Andrew Stephens most gene- 
rally gives us a few; he can spare us as 
many as we can plant in our wee bit of 
garden. My boy often flies his kite in the 
farmer’s fields, with his permission.” 



CHAPTER Y. 



AM quite re- 
freshed, now; 
that slice of 
good bread, 
and cup of 
water, have 


made me feel another man. I should have 
no objection to fly a kite myself.” 

“My grandson would be glad to lend 
you his, Master Arthur; but, unfortu- 
nately, three evenings ago, he was flying 
it in one of farmer Mill’s fields, when a 
little boy with him broke the string, and 
thus the kite was lost ; and Johnny w r ould 
not trample down the grain to reach his 
kite, though both the boy and his sister 
would have run after it, had they been 
allowed.” 

“Your boy must he a great help to 



UR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

“ He helps me as much as he is able, but 
Johnny has never been strong as some boys 
are ; he soon gets fatigued with hard work, 
so I never like to see him exerting himself 
too much, but he is a very willing boy.’' 

“ Perhaps he wants a glass of port wine 
with his dinner cried Arthur. That is what 
the doctor ordered for my sister Eva, when 
she was weak.” 

“ Bless you, my dear little heart, I cannot 
afford to buy him meat, let alone wine. 
Sometimes I manage to get a bit of cheese, 
but otherwise, bread is all I ever buy, with 
the exception of a little tea for Sundays and 
holidays.” 

“ But how can you live without meat, 
sugar, and a hundred other things .?” 

“ Oh, my dear little miss, poor people 
must do the best they can. If they get 
enough to eat, they have no reason to com- 
plain, and indeed, in no case ought they to 
complain, for God knows what is best for 
us, and if I and Johnny work as well as we 
can, I consider we must be content with 
what our work brings us.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

“But does not your garden yield any- 
thing ? I see it is all planted,” said Eva. 

“ Yes ma’am, we have a few potatoes and 
cabbages, besides some carrots and several 
herbs, but the ground is not very rich, and 
the whole that grows on it is eaten up long 
before the winter sets in, unless it be a few 
potatoes may be left us ; these, occasionally 
last till end of November.” 

“ But you have a very small patch of 
potatoes,” resumed Frank. 

“ The fourth of the whole garden, sir, 
and you must remember that we eat them 
very sparingly. We never think of boiling 
more than four a day.” 

“ But four will not make you a dinner, I 
am sure,” cried Arthur. 

“No sir, but we can make out with a 
little bread : we have good bread from our 
baker ; indeed ! I forget my manners,” and 
the old woman rose from her chair, and as 
quickly as her trembling feet could carry 
her, she hastened within doors, and returned 
with a nice loaf on a clean plate. “I 
should have given you this when Johnny 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

brought the water, but we were so busy 
talking, that I quite forgot to be civil. 
Take, miss, and you too, pretty little clear, 
I wish I had something more tempting. 
Young gentlemen, a slice of this good bread 
will do you good;” and the liberal old 
woman, having helped the whole of her 
famished guests, again resumed her arm- 
chair: when Eva said, 

“ This is indeed excellent bread ; and I 
am certain we shall feel all the better for it; 
but where is Johnny gone? he left after 
giving us water and seats, I hope our 
presence does not keep him away.” 

“ O, no, miss ; but Johnny is never idle: 
he was reading to me when you arrived 5 
for my eyes are not so good as they once 
were, and as he has no work to-day, and it 
is a holiday at his school, I was glad to 
hear him : but, now, I dare say he is gone 
to pick up sticks ; many a basket full he 
gathers me. Without him, I do not know 
what I should do.” 

“Have you no coal, such as my Papa 
and Mamma burn?'* 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY. 

“ No, little miss ; not since the death of 
my son : excepting two sacks yearly, which T 
receive from farmer Mills every Christmas.” 

“And what school does Johnny go to ? ” 
asked Frank. 

“ To the village school, sir : that is, when 
I can let him go; but if there is work 
to do, it must be done ; and then I must 
keep him away.” 

“Does he get on well? does he like 
learning ? ” 

“ Yes, ma’am, I think he does ; he is very 
industrious, and tries hard ; he reads very 
nicely : and I hope that next winter he may 
begin to write.” 

“How old is Johnny? and how long has 
he gone to school, pray ? ” 

“ He will be eight years old next July, 
my little master : and he has gone to school 
whenever I could spare him during the last 
two years, but often, farmer Mills will give 
him a day’s work ; and then I must keep 
him away.” 

“Farmer Mills give him a day’s work! 
why what can he do for a big farmer?” 


Oil, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

“All, my dear little lady, poor boys and 
girls are not like the children of gentle- 
folks: necessity often compels them to 
learn to make themselves useful when quite 
young; Johnny, for instance, has helped 
me a little, ever since he was four years 
old.” 

“ Since he was four years old ! Oh ! how 
could he help you at that early age? ” 

“Why ma’am, he would then gather 
sticks: or go on a message to the shop 
across the street, (for at that time we lived 
in a village) and occasionally fetch me a 
small can of water; for any one at the 
pump would gladly help Johnny to fill his 
pail : now he is of real use to me, for he 
not only reads to me out of the Bible, but 
he does a great part of the work in the 
garden ; gathers all my sticks ; brings me 
whatever water I require, and generally 
does the greater part of the cleaning in our 
wee-bit of a cottage: i deed during the 
last winter, I frequently suffered so much 
from rheumatism, that he would rarely 
allow me to make the fire for breakfast; but 


/ 


l 





V 



1 

. i 

V l , V. * •' • i 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

would only let me get up, when our little 
kettle was filled with its boiling water, and 
the room swept, and our morning meal 
ready.” 

“But what did you want with boiling 
water, if you had no tea ! ” exclaimed 
Mary, ere a look from the more consider- 
ate Eva, warned her that the question 
might be considered by Dame Chew as one, 
evincing, on the part of her little interro- 
gator, more curiosity than politeness. How- 
ever this may be, she good-humouredly 
answered : — 

“Ah, miss, when we cannot have tea, we 
make toast and water.” 

“And does that do as well as tea? I take 
it sometimes when I have a cold ; but I 
cannot say I ever particularly fancied it : ” 
said Arthur. 

“Well, my little gentleman, I cannot say 
it is quite as agreeable to the taste as tea: 
but it makes no very bad substitute, proper- 
ly made.” 

“And how do you make it ? may I ask, 
if not troubling you too much.” 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

u I first, ma’am, toast , not burn , a small 
bit of bread, till it is a dark brown ; then 
I pour a little boiling water on it, sufficient 
to soak it through completely: if the 
drink is for dinner, I afterwards pour fresh 
spring water over the soaked toast, but for 
mornings, Johnny and I often prefer hot 
water, particularly in very cold weather.” 

“ Thank you, for your information : the 
next time any of the family have a cold, 1 
will try your plan : our bread is burnt I 
think, for toast and water.” 

“People are apt to think that the blacker 
the bread is made, the better it is for toast 
and water, but this is quite a mistake : had 
I now a fire lighted, I would make you all 
some for a trial, but during this pleasant 
weather, we often do without fire whole days 
together ; to save our scanty supply of fuel.” 

“But you said Johnny worked for farmer 
Mills occasionally ! what can he do ? — keep 
cows or sheep from straying away] He is 
such a little fellow ! ” 

“ Yes, sir, but many a penny has he 
already earned me by his work : sometimes 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

lie picks up stones through the fields • other 
times he watches the cattle; then, Miss 
Mills has a garden, in which are a 
number of flowers, and in very dry weather 
Johnny goes and waters them of an even- 
ing: I think he brought me in nine-pence 
Jast week ! this is not much you will say, 
but every penny helps; and as he grows 
older, I think he may get stronger, and 
then he will make more. He works very 
steadily/’ 

“ Cannot he do anything at harvest time ? 
I turn over the hay!” 

“ Yes my little sir, but farmers do not 
like paying so small a boy. Last year he 
got one shilling for his hay-making, and 
very happy he was to bring it home to me. 
The mere fact of earning a shilling when not 
seven years old, and this in four days’ work, 
made him, I believe, think he was already a 
man. Mr. Mills has promised to have him 
this summer, and Johnny assures me he will 
work so hard, that perhaps he may bring 
back two shillings ; but I know he cannot 
do very much.” 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER, 

“ I suppose he can glean a little, for that 
is easy work apparently.” 

“ Yes, sir, he has gleaned the last two 
years, and I accompany him. Last summer, 
we gleaned enough to exchange for flour 
sufficient to pay for eight six-penny loaves. 
This was a good deal, considering that I 
was only able to help at the gleaning two 
days : I was ill the rest of the time, and 
Johnny went with the neighbors’ children .’ 7 

“How do you mean — you exchanged 
your gleanings for flour ?” 

“Why sir, the usual way is, to sift the 
wheat we have gleaned, in the open air, on 
some fine windy day ; then take it to the 
mill, and exchange it for flour ; after which 
the cottagers generally bake it for their 
own use; but I cannot afford enough 
fire for baking, and our baker kindly 
gave us bread in exchange for the flour 
I gave him.” 

“And do the gleaners always exchange 
their wheat for flour at the mill ?” 

“ Not always, I believe, ma’am ; occasion- 
ally the miller gives them the worth of the 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

grain they take him, in money : at least so 
I am told.” 

“ Why do they not have the grain they 
have gleaned, ground for themselves ?” 

“ Because, my little master, new wheat is 
not at all wholesome to eat ; and the miller 
gives them flour which has been ground 
from the old grain ; and he keeps the new, 
till such time as it is fit for use.” 

“ But I should think you must feel very 
dull sometimes . What do you do all day, 
when Johnny cannot read to you?” 

“ Why, at such times, my little 
miss, I content myself as well as I 
can ; many blessings are still left me. I can 
see to knit part of the time ; then sometimes 
I pick up a few sticks, or 1 clean up the 
house, and then, rest myself, having pre- 
pared for my grandson’s return. Surely I 
have no reason to complain, when my boy 
is providing for our necessities ! I should 
like to* read a little, but he always manages 
to read me a chapter of the Bible before he 
goes to his work, and he never fails to read 
me another when he returns, nay, unless 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

very tired, several more. ,, 

“ But cannot you read in your Bible ?” 

“ No, my little miss. Before my eyes 
became so dim, I could read very well in it, 
but now the print of it is far too small foi 
my aged sight.’’ 

“ Had you a Bible of larger print, do you 
think you could read in it ?” 

“ Yes, ma'am, and I hope to have one 
before the close of the summer, for Johnny 
is much grieved that in his absence I should 
be deprived of the Bible, and so he has 
lately persuaded me to allow him to keep 
back the half of whatever he earns at farmer 
Mills’, until he has sufficient to buy a Bible 
printed in large type : he has now got five 
pennies towards its purchase.” 

“ Yes,” cried Johnny, who at that mom- 
ent came in with a basket of sticks, “ here 
they are,” and he ran to a cupboard and 
brought out an old broken cup containing 
three pennies and four half-pennies : “ but 
grandmother dear, just now, a lady in 
drawing off her glove in the lane, dropped 
a ring. I put down .my basket, and for- 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

tunately found it for her. Of course I did 
it without any thought of being rewarded, 
but the kind lady insisted on my accepting 
this beautiful fourpenny piece ; ” and he 
shewed, as he spoke, a bright new coin. 
“ Now dear grandmother, do you not think 
I may add all these pennies to my hoard 
for the Bible V’ and he looked eagerly at his 
aged parent for her permission. 

“ Why, you know, my dear,” answered 
the old woman hesitatingly, “you require 
shoes that you may go to church decently 
attired, then, your second shirt is now com- 
pletely worn out, whilst we owe the baker 
nearly one shilling ; I do think we should 
do wiser to divide as usual.” 

“Well, dear mother, you are the best 
judge,” said Johnny in a subdued tone. “ I 
just thought for one moment, that perhaps, 
as this was not regular work money, the 
. whole might for once go to the Bible. I 
f wanted you to have one before 1 have to 
leave you, day after day, as will soon be the 
case, for I met farmer Mills half an hour 
ago, and he told me I worked so steadily. 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

that he would employ me after harvest, if I 
continued a good boy ; he said he would 
give me one shilling a week.” 

“ Thank God for all His goodness ! for 
believe me, Johnny, and you also, young 
ladies and gentlemen, no blessing reaches 
us but through our Heavenly Father. Every 
pain we endure, every blessing we enjoy, 
is from Him.” 

“ How much will such a Bible as you 
require, cost 1 ?” said Eva. 

“ Three shillings, ma’am : I never cared 
much for it before ; as Johnny for the last 
two years, has read to me very nicely, and 
previously, I could read in the little one we 
have, very well indeed ; but now, the one 
with a larger type will be very useful to me ; 
however we must wait patiently ; perhaps 
by the end of harvest, I may get it ; that 
will do.” 

The brothers and sisters looked at each 
other, hesitated, blushed, and then, rising 
from their seats, each in turn, tendered their 
assistance. 

“Perhaps” cried Frank, “we might be 






■ 



' 





























. 











• 







5 



' 


* 



The Children’s Money not accepted. 



THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

able to help J olinny ; here is two-pence 
halfpenny ; I have not a halfpenny more to 
spare at present/’ 

i “And here is a silver threepenny piece to 
put in your broken cup.” 

\ “Thank you, ma’am, thank you, sir,” 
exclaimed the delighted Johnny. 

“ I have but one single halfpenny left, it 
is almost too little to offer you,” said Arthur, 
who generally spent his pocket money as 
soon as got. 

“ I have not one single halfpenny,” said 
the little Mary, a tear gathering in her deep 
blue eye ; but here are some sugar-plums 
for you;” and they proceeded to put the 
pennies into Johnny’s queer-fashioned purse, 
but the old woman interfered. 

“ No, my dear young ladies and gentle- 
men, I should not like Johnny to take your 
money without your parents’ leave. Yes, 
my sweet little miss,” she continued, in 
answer to the discontented looks of Mary, 
“ he may take your comfits, but no money.” 

“ But indeed, the money we offer him is 
our own : we have earned it by our lessons, 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

just as much as Johnny earns his money 
by hard work.” 

“ Of course, ma’am, I do not doubt the 
money being your own : but perhaps your 
parents might not like you to give so much 
away to a little boy.” 

“Then we will run home and see if 
they will not give us leave to do with our 
own as we choose ; I am sure they will l 
Mamma and Papa are so good.” 

“Yes, that they will; and so you may 
expect us again this evening: Papa and 
Mamma are certain to let us do whatever 
we may like with our own money.” And 
Prank followed Eva and Mary out of the 
little gate: Arthur turned to Johnny: — 

“Do you like reading story books'?” 

“ I have never seen one, sir.” 

“Here is a pretty little one, about a 
good plough-boy : I read it yesterday, it is 
mine, my Aunt gave it me, and said, I 
could give it away when I had done with its 
we have all read it, I now give it to you.” 
And without staying for thanks, Arthur 
vaulted over the garden gate, and within 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY. 

three minutes, he had sprang on Frank’s 
back. Taking a short cut through a field 
immediately behind their Uncle Richard’s 
house, the children hurried home as fast 
as possible, for they were very eager to get 
their parent’s leave to give their money to 
the poor old woman. They did not forget 
however, to stop in the field and bring 
b way their baskets of violets. 







■ 

. 


5 


EYA 

A SEQUEL 


A GOOD GKANDSON. 


BY 

THE CHILD'S FRIEND. 


tffrst 0mertcan from tfce E$xtJ Hnjjltef) lEtoftfon. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

HAYES & ZELL. 
LONDON: WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1857 . 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
HAYES & ZELL, 

in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 


STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. 




, 











f 



Trip meets Frank and Mary, and gives the former his hand- 
kerchief, which he had found. 


CHAPTER I. 


hen they reached 
home, they found 
their Papa and 
Mamma on the 
lawn, playing with 
little Willie, and 
frolicksome Trip. 

Dear Mamma, dear Papa,’’ cried Arthur, 
after having almost squeezed the breath 
out of the baby in giving it one of his 
hugs, “ we have had such adventures this 
morning! but, first let me tell you, we 
have found a poor old woman, who lives in 
a wee, tiny, hut ; just at the bottom of a 
long lane running between the farms 
belonging to Mr. Mills and Mr. Drew: 
her cottage is so prettily situated near a 
brook; and” — 

“You forgot to mention her grandson ; 
and the pretty flowers in her garden : and 
that all is so beautifully clean and neat.” 



THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


At this moment, the entrance of visitors 
put a stop to all farther explanation on the 
subject that evening, as the children re- 
tired to rest before the gentlemen took 
their departure. The following morning, 
the young people set off early on their ap- 
pointed visit; and as they did not return 
till half-past ten at night, of course there 
was no opportunity of speaking about the 
old woman and her grandson at such a 
late hour. The next day, Mr. Graves re- 
quested that Eva should be allowed to ac- 
company her mother and himself in a 
walk, which they had arranged to take 
through the village to a small hamlet, 
situated about three miles from their 
residence. 

After paying several visits at the ham- 
let, they were returning home, when a 
pause in the conversation was broken by 
Eva : 

“ Papa, you and mamma have travelled 
a great deal, why do you not write a book 
about all you have seen, as uncle John 
has done V* 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


“ We have certainly seen more than 
most people; but, Eva, it is not only 
necessary to have seen , one must also be 
able to express what one has seen in a 
clear and pleasant manner, in order to 
render the history of our travels an agree- 
able one.” 

“But, of course you could do that, 
papa.” 

“Not quite so certain, Eva, as you 
suppose ; persons have often a very con- 
fused way of expressing themselves ; for 
example, when Sarah asked your mamma 
to visit her cottage, even that simple re- 
quest was couched in such a manner, that 
the good woman had to repeat it in an 
altered fashion three times, before it could 
be fully understood.” 

“ But, papa, I can always comprehend 
what either you or mamma say, imme- 
diately; you express yourselves so very 
clearly! thus, your book would be easily 
understood.” 

“ But persons, Eva, who speak clearly, 
do not always write in an equally clear 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


style ; and again, many of those who can 
express themselves in a concise and agree- 
able way on paper, yet, in conversation, 
become tedious and obscure !” 

“ Ah, but papa, your letters are as clear 
as your words ; when you wrote me those 
five long letters from Europe, I had no 
more difficuly in understanding their 
meaning, than had you spoken to me, in- 
stead of only having written.” 

“ I tried to write in as easy a style as 
possible, that you might readily compre- 
hend my description of all I had seen, 
that I thought would interest you ; and I 
am glad to have succeeded in the attempt.” 

“ And you will write a whole book of 
your travels : would not that be delight- 
ful! an account of every place you have 
ever seen, papa.” 

“ I cannot promise you that, Eva, at 
least not now. I do not feel so certain 
of the commendation of the public, as I 
am of the praise of my little girl ; thus, 
for the present, I shall satisfy myself with 
her approval. 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

“ I wish your little girl could better 
appreciate than she does your beautiful 
compositions, papa. Oh, I do hope I 
shall one day express myself as well as 
you and mamma do, both in speaking and 
writing.” 

“You must try ; endeavor to think 
clearly ; to arrange your ideas with per- 
fect order ; and never commence speaking 
until you have selected the words you are 
going to use ; thus, you will avoid hesita- 
tion in your speech, a most unpleasant 
defect, and one most difficult of correc- 
tion; but see there, is not that Mrs. Gil- 
som? that woman crossing the stile 
yonder ? Ah, she is coming this way.” 

“Good morning, Mrs. Gilsom; who 
would have expected to see you in this 
neighborhood so early in the day.” 

“Good morning, sir; good morning, 
ladies. I am come for my bread. The rain 
last evening prevented my coming after 
tea, as I most commonly do ; and as my 
husband is at work five miles away, and 
he took his dinner with him, I dined 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY ; 


early, and hurried over here to my 
baker’s.” 

“Your baker’s! why surely you can 
get good bread at Crumpton !” 

“ Oh, yes, madam, we have excellent 
bread in the village ; indeed, no one need 
desire a better quality than is to be found 
at Mr. Rawle’s bakery.” 

“ Then, why come a distance of three 
miles, to purchase what you can just get 
as readily within three minutes’ walk V 

“ Ah, sir, for the last nine years I have 
travelled this road repeatedly; at least 
four times a week, counting the journey’s 
backwards and forwards. I have during 
this period, lived at Crumpton; and I 
have not bought a loaf of bread, except- 
ing from Mr. Rawle, of this village ; and 
I hope I shall be able to purchase from 
him as long as I live.” 

“ I think you must like to pass your 
time on the high road, Mrs. Gilsom.” 

“Oh, sir, do not judge me too hastily; 
indeed, I have a large family, five young 
children, to help my husband to support; 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

and I would not needlessly spend a mo- 
ment of my time ; but in the present in- 
stance, I consider that I do not waste a 
moment. I repay a debt !” 

“You interest me deeply; if there is 
no objection, might I beg you to explain 
yourself more fully V 

“I cannot have the least objection, sir; 
in fact, I take the greatest pleasure in 
giving the reason of my apparently 
strange conduct. You must know, sir, 
that my baker, Mr. Eawle, is a most ex- 
cellent man. Some ten years ago, my 
husband was seized with a severe attack 
of illness, for many weeks he never rose 
from his bed of suffering; but lingered 
from day to day, between life and death ; 
very often I thought his last moment had 
arrived! We were in great distress; all 
our savings being used up before the first 
seven weeks of his sickness had quite 
transpired ; we were gradually forsaken 
by our neighbors, who wearied of so long 
a demand on their kindness. I had little 
rest day or night, and my strength was 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


beginning to fail me — strength, both of 
body and mind — when, fortunately, this 
good man — this thorough Christian — this 
excellent Mr. Rawle, became an inhabitant 
of Crumpton. A perfect stranger to us, 
he yet felt the deepest compassion for our 
situation ; not only did he tender all the 
personal assistance in his power, sitting 
with my husband for hours after his own 
hard work was over, but he spoke most 
kindly to us; always ending his friendly 
advice with some such words as, 6 be not 
discouraged, good woman ; trust in Provi- 
dence ; better days will come/ For three 
months after he settled in our midst, my 
husband continued on his bed of sickness ; 
for six weeks longer, his weakness was so 
great, that I never thought he could pos- 
sibly rally; but for these eighteen weeks 
did our kind new friend tend the invalid 
with a brother’s care; and for these 
eighteen weeks did our kind neighbor 
supply us with bread on credit.” 

“ That was indeed kind; and he almost 
a stranger.” 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

“ Quite a stranger, madam, until he set- 
tled among us.” 

“ It is not every one who would thus 
have trusted even old friends.” 

“ Ah, madam, it was the kind manner 
in which we were trusted, more even 
than the actually being trusted. And 
again, he always had a word of comfort 
to give us ; and what more consoling to 
those in affliction! I know not what 
would have become of us but for his en- 
couraging advice ; his generous conduct ; 
his gentleness of heart. And now, madam, 
we have paid the baker; for, heaven be 
thanked, things have since that period 
mended with us, and we are at the pre- 
sent moment, comparatively speaking, 
well to do in the world.” 

“ And what made Mr. Rawle leave your 
village ?” 

“ He went security for a brother, the 
brother became unfortunate in business, 
and both parties were ruined. He was 
thus compelled to give up his bakery in 
our village; as, through his altered cir- 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


cum stances, he could no longer afford to 
carry on business on the same extensive 
scale as previously ; and he then came to 
your neighborhood, hoping to obtain im- 
mediate patronage, as he well deserved to 
do, but among a more limited number, 
and for the most part, among a more hum- 
ble class of customers than his former 
ones. However, though he has now been 
settled here several years, he has not so 
much business yet as he expected to have 
had, and as he requires for the support of 
a large family of young and motherless 
children, the four youngest of whom reside 
entirely with him ; whilst the eldest are 
in situations where they earn a trifle to- 
wards their support.” 

“ Then, your custom is really of no 
little consequence to him?” 

“ I regret to say that such is the fact, 
sir ; and you will no longer be surprised 
that I take my money to him in prefer- 
ence to any one else ; though I can get 
plenty as good bread within ten doors of 
our own home, and I have to travel such 



«m*vVyv %,£ 


The four motherless Babes. 









V 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

a distance to fetch it. Yes, sir, I take my 
money to him, and I buy my bread of 
him ; but had he her Majesty’s business, I 
would still buy my bread of him, and of 
no one else ; he was so kind and good to 
us.” 

“You certainly appear most grateful 
for the services rendered you and your 
husband, by this excellent man.” 

“ Who could ever forget such kindness 
as we received. But the day is wearing 
away, and I have yet much to do. Fare- 
well, for the present, sir; farewell, ladies. 
I must get my bread and go home to my 
children, who will all have got back from 
school, long before I return ; and the little 
dears will be wondering what has become 
of me” 

“ Farewell, for the present. When we 
come here again, I shall not fail to pay 
you visit. I should like to see your 
pretty garden. I have heard much of it.” 

“ Oh, ma’am, it is nothing to speak of, 
when compared to your own, or such as 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


your own ; but yet it is pretty, and it con- 
tains some very beautiful flowers.” 

“ Your husband has a great fondness for 
flowers, has he not?” 

“ Yes, sir ; and he understands how to 
manage them thoroughly. He was for 
many years under an excellent gardener 
in Scotland.” 

“ Is he a Scotchman by birth ?” 

“Yes, ma’am; and resided there until 
within the last fifteen years; nor do I 
think he would ever have left it but to 
please me.” 

“ I have heard that you persuaded him 
to settle in this country.” 

“Yes, ma’am. I do not know that it 
was quite right in me to use my influence 
over him to such a purpose ; but I never 
did like Scotland so well as England; 
and though it is his native climate, I do 
not think it agrees with him near so well 
as this country.” 

“You lived near the Duke of Buo 
cleugh’s place, did you not ?” 

“Yes, sir. Indeed, my husband was 












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* , 




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/ 



ANCIENT HAWKING PARTY. 



OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


working there until within a week of our 
leaving Scotland” 

“Ah, I did not know that you lived so 
near as that !” 

“ Oh, it was at Drumlanrig Castle 
that my husband was for thirteen years 
under-gardener; having first learned his 
business from his uncle.” 

“ Is not the castle very beautiful ?” 

“ It is really magnificent, ma’am.” 

“Is there much ground about it?” 

“Yes, ma’am ; the edifice is surrounded 
by most extensive parks and plantations.” 

“ And I suppose the walks and drives 
there were delightful ?” 

“Indeed, they were, ma’am; many a 
pleasant stroll have I taken over those 
picturesque grounds.” 

“And, yet, you were anxious to leave 
them !” 

“Yes, sir; I never felt at home there; 
and as I observed previously, I do not 
think my husband had his health there ; 
in fact, the attack of illness which re- 
duced us to poverty at the time of my 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


boy’s birth, and which had nearly placed 
my poor husband in his grave, was, I be- 
lieve, the result of his long residence in 
Scotland.” 

“ And is he quite satisfied here ?” 

“ Quite so, now. At first he felt very 
much out of spirits at the thought of 
having given up his native land ; but as 
his health improved, and he got more ac- 
customed to the habits of this country, 
he gradually became reconciled, and at 
this present instant, he would not like to 
give up old England. But, hark, there is 
two o’clock striking ! I must away, or it 
will be supposed I am lost. Farewell, 
sir; farewell, ladies, again.” 

“ Farewell. I regret we detained you ; 
but I could not help speaking of your 
little garden, of which we have heard so 
much.” 

% * * tfi 

“Papa, where did you get acquainted 
with Mrs. Gilsom ? She was not a resi- 
dent of this neighborhood formerly, was 
she?” 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

“No, my dear; but I knew her long 
before I married. She lived in my sis- 
ter’s family for many years as nursery 
governess, and a most faithful friend she 
proved to be.” 

“ A friend ! How so, dear papa ?” 

“Yes, Emily, a friend ! The children 
were attacked by scarlet fever ; a terrible 
disease ! Their mother nursed them day 
and night, until her strength completely 
gave way; and had it not been for Annie, 
the poor things would have necessarily 
been much neglected; for their father 
was at the time absent in Russia.” 

“ In Russia, dear papa ; whatever could 
have taken uncle John to Russia?” 

“He went there on business.” 

“ And, papa, did he go to Moscow ?” 

“ Yes, my dear.” 

“ Did he see the Kremlin?” 

“ He did. But what do you know of 
it?” 

“Ah, I have been reading about its 
grand palaces and churches.” 

“ It is built in the centre and highest 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 



The Kremlin, in Moscow. 


part of the city; and is surrounded by 
high walls of stone and brick, two miles 
in circumference.” 

“And, papa, is it not within the city 
of Moscow?” 

“Yes, my dear; but it is a kind of 
town within itself.” 

“ Was it not very much injured at the 
time of some great fire ?” 

“Yes, at the burning of Moscow, in 
1812 ; but it is now rebuilt.” 

“ Papa, I do believe I was very rude in 
interrupting you about Mrs. Gilsom ; but 
I had been reading about the Kremlin. 
It was in my lesson on history this morn- 
ing; and having made up my mind to 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

ask you about it when you named uncle 
John’s having been in Russia, I for the 
moment forgot all else, and thus broke in 
on what you were saying ; but I hope you 
will excuse me. I will try and be more 
thoughtful. You were saying, my little 
cousins would have been neglected, but 
for Mrs. Gilsom.” 

“ Yes. Annie, as she was then called, 
took the place of their mother, who was 
cast on a bed of sickness, from whence 
she did not rise for five weeks ! In the 
meantime, Mrs. Gilsom supplied the part 
of mother, father and nurse. Finally, 
the whole family entirely recovered ; and 
of course, your aunt’s gratitude knew no 
bounds ; but at the end of a twelvemonth, 
Annie was persuaded to visit a relation in 
Scotland, where she met the man who 
subsequently became her husband. She 
soon afterwards married, and went to re- 
side with her husband, so that your aunt 
and I lost sight of Mrs. Gilsom for some 
years. In the meantime, my sister joined 
her husband abroad. I and your mamma 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


repaired to the continent ; and it is only 
lately that I heard of Annie and her hus- 
band having removed to this neighbor- 
hood; for having been on the continent 
so much the last few years, we have 
known but little of what has been taking 
place in these parts.” 

“Papa, how happened it that you knew 
so much about all that Mrs. Gilsom had 
done, since she lived at my aunt’s ?” 

“ I used, then, to spend the greater por- 
tion of the year at my sister’s ; and when 
the children had the scarlet fever, I was 
there the whole time.” 

“ And how old was Mrs. Gilsom when 
she first became my cousins nursery 
governess ?” 

“Only seventeen. But we had known 
her from the time she was six years old.” 

“ What was her name, papa, before she 
married ?” 

“ Hood — Annie Hood ; her mother used 
to sew for our family by the week toge- 
ther, when I was a mere boy ; and Annie 
occasionally spent a few days with us.” 


CHAPTER II. 



=#-and the family are 
^once more gathered 


|& lessons are all satis- 
l^factorily concluded ; 
Ebooks are put away; 


YENING has arrived ; 


around their cheerful tea-table. 

“ Mamma, I was telling you the other 
night, what a nice little cottage and what 
a nice old woman we had discovered; but 
she is very poor ; we thought you would 
help her ; she would please you I am cer- 
tain; she is so kind and obliging.” 

“ Yes, mamma, she gave me such ex- 
cellent bread, and such a cup of clear 
cold water, and she took so much trouble 
to make us comfortable; but Arthur 
forgot to mention her neat garden and her 
boy. I told him so the other evening.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

“ No, no, Eva ; I did not forget ; but I 
wanted to come to the point.” 

“And pray, what is the point?” demand- 
ed their smiling mother. 

“ Oh, mother, 3 ” cried Frank — for the first 
time able to get in a word, “ the old woman 
has got a grandson, named Johnny ; and he 
reads to her out of their old bible ; because 
his grandmother can no longer see to read 
in so small a print ; but the boy is trying 
to earn money to puvchase a new Bible, 
printed in large type, that she may read to 
herself, when he is working out in the fields 
this summer: for he is old enough to work.” 

“And he has got a few pennies, and l 
would give him some, but Mamma, I have 
not one! and Mamma, dear, now that I am 
a great girl, and as old as five years and 
one month, and do my lessons as I did 
yesterday, may I not have some half-pennies 
for good tickets ? ” 

“Yes, my pet, you shall : when you say 
your lessons quite well, you shall have a 
good ticket; and each ticket is worth a 
whole halt-penny. Hah, a visiter !” 


OR, JOHNNY AND PUS GRANDMOTHER. 


❖ * * * $ 

“ Mrs. Chew’s Bible will cost three shil- 
lings r 

“No, my dear, I think, they are now so 
cheap, that I might get her one for two 
shillings, or, at the very most for half a 
crown.” 

“O, could you dear, Papa? how fortun- 
ate ! but may we not all give some of our 
pennies towards the purchase of a Bible for 
this good old woman 1 ” 

“ My dear Eva, you know, that neither 
your mother nor I, ever interfere with the 
wishes of any of you children, as to the 
way in which you spend your money, farther 
than by giving you our best advice, when 
asked.” 

“ That is just what Eva told Mrs. Chew, 
but she would not let her grandson take 
our few pennies: so provoking of her!” 
cried Arthur.” 

“My dear boy; it is always right to 
keep on the safe side : it might not, and in 
the present case, it would not have been 
wrong in their having accepted the pence 
you all offered them : but there could be 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

no harm in their refusing your gifts, whilst 
in taking it, they might possibly, as the old 
woman thought, act improperly.” 

“ She could not suppose that Eva and 
Erank would tell an untruth ! ” cried Mary. 

“ No, my darling ; ” responded her Papa, 
“ but she may have supposed that their 
good-nature made them unthinkingly, or, 
unknowingly, over-rate their power/’ 

“And, will dear Mamma give me some 
pennies l I will learn my lessons so very 
well ! I want to give Johnny some money 
this evening.” 

“ You must ask Mamma, dearest, when 
she has done talking to Eva.” 

“ I was hearing Eva’s account of these poor 
people : and am willing to aid in any plans, 
the children may agree upon, to increase 
the comforts of this poor old grandmother, 
and her good and industrious Johnny.” 

“Thanks, Mamma! thanks, dear Mam- 
ma! ” was the general cry. 

“ Dinner will shortly be ready ; go now, 
and prepare for it ; and in the evening, we 
will talk the matter over ; as we walk to the 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

old woman’s cottage : for it is so very fine, 
that I do not see but what I may as well 
accompany you, the more particularly, as 
your father has an engagement.” 

Five o’clock, found the whole party. Trip 
included, on their way to the lane leading 
to Mrs. Chew’s pretty cottage. Several 
plans had been discussed, but none had 
been decided upon; when Eva said, that 
they should all like to hear their Mamma’s 
own plan, since there appeared some objec- 
tion to each of those she and her brothers 
and sisters had proposed. 

“ Very well, my dear children, I will tell 
you the plan I have thought of, and I think 
it will suit you better than any I have yet 
heard proposed ; but remember, should you 
not approve, you are not bound to act 
against your own judgments: I have told 
you, that I leave this business entirely to 
yourselves; with the exception of a little 
advice.” 

“Oh dear Mamma; you are so kind! but 
fell us your plan, quick, quick!” 

“ Patience, my dear Frank ; and first, let 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

ine say, that your plan of saving up money 
enough to buy Johnny a suit of clothes, is 
an excellent one; but then, Eva appears 
to think, that the old woman is worse off 
than her grandson for dress ; whilst Mary 
wants Johnny to have some of Dame 
Gubbin’s gingerbread 1 and Arthur thinks, 
the old woman wants some meat and eggs ! 
Now, many weeks must elapse before you can 
obtain money sufficient to carry out all these 
well-intentioned plans: whereas, I think the 
one I propose, might answer all purposes.” 

“ Name it, name it, dear mamma,” cried 
out all the children. 

“ Not till our return to tea, for I must 
have papa’s consent to my plan.” 

“ Ah mamma! but what shall we do now, 
when we reach the cottage ? see, there it is, 
just between those two large trees, and the 
old woman and her grandson are both at the 
gate, expecting us.” 

“ Oh ! for that matter, Eva, you can ail 
give your pennies towards the sum required 
lor the purchase of her Bible, but my plan 
reters to the future.’ 5 ' 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


and, at the right season, you shall have 
as many as you like.” 

“ Thank you. I used to have some 
plants, but on our removal to this neigh- 
borhood,'! gave all I had to a little girl; 
and since being here, I have had no op- 
portunity of making another collection.” 

“ You had some beautiful geraniums, I 
well remember.” 

“Yes, Frank; and I think my roses 
would have borne comparison with any 
in our neighborhood.” 

“ Indeed they would, Eva. Mr. Jack- 
son, you even would have felt quite proud 
of such fine ones.” 

“ I should like to have seen them, sir. 
But did you also part with them, Miss?” 

“Yes, sir; with all my plants.” 

“ I may not have such fine geraniums 
as you had ; but you are heartily welcome 
to such as I have. When I send you your 
roses, I will likewise send you some gera- 
niums ; and any other plants I think may 
prove agreeable, Miss.” 

“ Thank you very much indeed, sir.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


“ But I should like you to take a mag- 
nificent bouquet home with you this morn- 
ing. \ouv mamma, Miss, I know, will 
be so pleased with one ; she is very fond 
| of flowers, I have undersood her to say.” 

“ Oh, that she is ; and we will take her 
a few, if you say so. One evening last 
winter, we had a delightful time at our 
cousins/ The two girls had gone to spend 
the day at their uncle’s; when David, 
John and I, decided on giving their papa 
a surprise.” 

“ What did you do ?” 

“We went, Frank, into the boys’ own 
green-house, and there gathered a quan- 
tity of beautiful flowers for a vase ; we 
then begged nurse Carrie to go with us to 
cousin Henry’s house, which is situated at 
the other end of the village, and where 
they have a fine hot-house; there, w r e 
begged for two or three precious speci- 
mens of the old gardener’s skill and care; 
when we hastened back, and having 
shown them to my aunt and darling little 
Emma, by the advice of the former, we 














OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

placed a pot of violets that had been given 
David, in uncle John’s study; and the 
bouquet we put on the tea-table, where 
they formed the chief ornament for above 
a whole week.” 

“Is uncle John fond of flowers?” 

“Very fond of them, Arthur; but aunt 
Selina told me, they had never cultivated 
many, on account of their having been on 
the continent so much.” 

“ And are the girls fond of them ?” 

“ Yes, indeed, Frank ; they were as 
much pleased with them on their return 
home the next day, as papa was when he 
first saw them.” 

“ Where did they go to, that they re- 
mained away the whole night ?” 

“They went, Arthur, to a lady who 
lives about ten miles from aunt Selina’s. 
The girls often go there.” 

“ But does their mamma like them to 
leave home so often ?” 

“ They go to stay with a very old friend 
of aunt Selina’s, Frank.” 

“But, I think, when they have their 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


cousin staying in the house, they might 
have remained with their guest.” 

“Oh, Frank; I would not have had 
them stay at home on my account — the 
more particularly, as they went to see a 
very great invalid. Little Ruth Manners 
has a spinal complaint, and lies on her 
back all the time ; when the poor child is 
able to see any one, her mamma invites 
my cousins for a day or two at a time ; 
but they never stay longer; and aunt 
Selina feels no uneasiness when they are 
away, because she can trust to their doing 
all she wishes.” 



CHAPTER IV. 


hey were soon seat, 
cd round the table 
at their evening 
meal, and the chil- 
dren begged their 
mother to prepose 
the plan that she had 
named, as requiring 
the consent of Mr. Graves, as well as their 
own. She at once consented. 

“Now, my dears, I understood you to 
say, that you wanted to make this poor old 
woman and her grandson more comfortable 
than they now are, but each of you appears 
to differ as to what will most conduce to 
this comfort you are so anxious to procure 
for them. There is Eva thinks the old 
woman must have some new clothes ; Frank 
wants Johnny to have a Sunday suit; Arthur 
would have them sit down to a nice rasher 
of bacon ; whilst little darling Mary fancies 



THIS WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

that their tea-table ought to be supplied 
with plenty of good gingerbread. Now, 
dear papa, how are all these different opin- 
ions to be reconciled ?” 

“ Now I understand, now I understand, 
bravo ! bravo ! papa will give us money.” 

“ No, no, master Arthur, papa is going to 
do no such thing as give his money for you, 
and the rest of you, to spend in presents, 
but as mamma appeals to me, to point out 
how you are all to be satisfied, I think I can 
show you a way, if you are all willing to 
work and to be industrious.” 

“We will work, we will work, but what 
work, papa?” cried the children in one 
voice. 

“ Patience, patience, I must tell you, I 
would willingly give you money, but then, 
you would be giving away my money, and 
not your own money ; now I can give away 
my own money, without any help from any 
of you ; do you understand ?” 

“Yes, papa ; but we did not know how 
to get money enough by our lessons ; and 
so thought you might kindly give us some ; 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

but, as you say, this would be your giving 
help to the old woman, and not our giving 
it ; we did not think of this !” 

“So I saw, Eva; and therefore have 
pointed out your mistake: when people 
wish to give, it is their own purses they 
should first open : then if their own means 
tail, they may reasonably apply to others : 
do you not think this is quite fair, children ?” 

“Yes, Papa, yes ; but we have opened our 
purses, and we have not money enough;” 
said several of the children — Mr. Graves 
continued — “ you have not money enough, 
but your means have not yet failed, because 
you can work ; you say you are willing to 
work, and I am willing to give you work, 
and to pay you for doing it: so you see, 
you have no right yet to apply to others 
for that help for the old woman, 
which you can easily obtain for her, 
yourselves.” 

“ Papa speaks the truth, but how can we 
ever get as much as we require? ” 

“ Why Prank, how much do you require 
for Johnny’s suit of Sunday clothes ? ” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

“ Indeed Papa, I could not exactly say, 
but I suppose not less than twelve shillings/ 
“And Eva, dear, what will you want for 
the old woman’s dress, shoes, &c.? ” 

“ I could get a tolerably good gown for 
three shillings, (for I do not suppose she 
will require it very full in the skirt,) then, 
I could get a pair of good shoes for five or 
six shillings, a chemise for eighteen pence, 
and a flannel coat for two and six pence : 
how much do all these separate sums 
amount to, Papa? ’ 

“ Nay, my dear, you can count quite as 
well as I can ; sum up, in a minute ! ” 

“ Three shillings for the gown, added to 
five and sixpence, w r e will say for the shoes, 
will make eight and sixpence, and eighteen 
pence for the chemise, ten shillings : and 
two and sixpence for the flannel coat, twelve 
and sixpence ; we might add the sixpence 
taken from the shoes, for an apron; this 
would make thirteen shillings ! Oh, Papa, 
I could not get so much for work this 
year ! ” 

“ Now, my dear children, it is time for 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

me to mention my plan, at least, as it refers 
to the dress for Mrs. Chew and her grand- 
son. I noticed Johnny’s size, and I think 
Arthur’s old suit would fit him very well ; , 
^ I mean the blue cloth suit, Arthur ought to j 
wear it a short time longer, but I am willing 1 
to let it go for two and sixpence, Nancy shall 
put it in complete repair; his cloth cap 
may go for one shilling, and there is a pair of 
boots, quite too tight for Arthur, but which 
would suit Johnny, (for I observed the 
latter has a very small foot,) these boots are 
nearly new, but you can have them for two 
shillings ; a shirt and pocket handkerchief 
can be got for a shilling, and Nancy shall 
make them; thus, if Papa consents to this 
arrangement, Prank’s suit for Johnny will 
cost but six and sixpence ! ” 

“Thank you, mamma, thank you; an 
admirable plan indeed ! if Papa will 
consent, and will you not, dear Papa? j 
I think I could manage to get six and 
sixpence.” 

“ I consent to any arrangement mamma 
thinks proper, and I must say, Prank, that 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

you are a fortunate boy; but, Mamma, 
how does your plan affect Eva ?” 

“As I am going out of mourning, my 
gingham dress, which has been scarcely 
worn, would, with a slight alteration, make 
a very nice gown for the old woman ; it cost, 
last spring, ten shillings : this, Eva can take 
for one shilling. I have also got a new flan- 
nel coat, which has been washed but once, 
but it was so badly washed, and thickened 
in the washing, that it is quite too thick for 
my comfort, as well as too short for me, 
from being so much shrunk; neither of 
these objections exist as regards the old 
woman ; for her, the warmer, the better ; 
whilst she is, at the least, six inches shorter 
than I am : now this coat I am willing to 
give for fifteen pence : boots, I have none to 
give, but your Aunt Kate left a pair of 
walking shoes here, which she told me I 
might give to Dame Jenkins; as I found 
that Mrs. Drew had just given her a pair. 
I kept Aunt Kate’s, but they are very good 
ones, and I am almost certain that they will 
fit Dame Chew; so Eva can have them for 


OR, JOIJNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

two and sixpence, which two and sixpence 
I will spend in a gown for Dame Jenkins ; 
thus, you can have shoes, dress, and flannel 
coat, for four and ninepence.” 

“ Thanks, dearest mamma, and two 
shillings for the chemise and apron added 
to the four and ninepence, would make six 
and ninepence! This is capital: if papa 
gives us work and pays us for it, there will 
not be so much difficulty in getting six and 
ninepence. But dear mamma, what can 
Arthur and Mary do? ” 

“Why master Arthur, what is it that 
you propose to do, as regards providing the 
good woman and her grandson meat ? ” 
Have you thought on the subject? ” 

“Indeed papa, I have thought on the 
matter, but thinking does not teach me how 
to obtain all the meat I require for Johnny 
and his grandmother ; at first, I thought I 
should like them to have a meat dinner 
daily, as we have ; but this evening I spoke 
to the village butcher, whom we met on his 
return from farmer Drew’s ; and I find that 
a daily meat dinner, would consume more 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

sheep than he pointed out to me as having 
just bought to supply the whole neighbour- 
hood with mutton for two months ! whilst 
even a Sunday meat dinner, would cost 
' more for the year round, than I can possibly 
manage without assistance. I almost des- 
pair ! ” ^ 

“ Never despair, my dear boy; despair 
helps no one ! perhaps mamma has some 
plan for you, as well as for Eva and Frank ; 
though I own I cannot imagine how, even 
her prudence can surmount the present 
difficulty.” 

“But we never heard you speak to the 
butcher, Arthur? cried several of the 
children.” 

It was when you hid yourselves to watch 
the little bird persuading its young ones to 
fly up to it.” 

“ But dear mamma, have you any way of 
helping me? please think.” 

“ I must admit Arthur, that you have 
given me more difficulty than any of the 
others ; meat is very expensive ; and after 
much thought, I have come to the decision, 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

The whole party now soon gained Mrs. 
Chew’s humble dwelling. She greeted them 
with heartfelt gratitude, and Johnny made 
his very best bow and brightest smile, as 
Mrs. Graves put into his hand a new six- 
pence, whilst the little ones added to it 
their pennies and. half-pennies, for little 
Mary had coaxed her mamma out of two of 
the last named coins, as a reward for her 
having commenced learning lessons the 
previous day. 

“We will see you again soon,’’ said the 
rosy-faced pet,” and I will bring you an- 
other half-penny whenever I have one given 
me, Johnny.” 

“Johnny, all this money you get to night 
is for the purchase of the Bible : have you 
not got nearly enough to purchase it? I 
think so.” 

“ Let him count, Eva. I think, too, there 
must be almost sufficient/’ 

“I will count for you,” cried Arthur, 
taking Johnny’s useful old purse out of his 
willing hand, just as the latter was about to 
count his riches. “ Here are seven pennies. 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

and mamma's sixpence, which make one 
shilling and one penny ." “ And here, sir, 

are the young lady's “ Another silver 
piece ! bravo ! this makes one and four- 
pence “ And the little lady’s, sir,” said 
Johnny, giving Mary’s two half-pennies. 
“ One and five-pence : w “ and the young 
gentleman's, now sir.” “ Come, this makes 
one and seven-pence half-penny, and here, 
Johnny, is the only half-penny I have. I 
do wish it was more ; but you are welcome 
to this.” 

“Quite enough, sir; do not distress 
yourself at there not being more ; I never 
had so much money of my own before. One 
shilling and eightpence ! And this morning 
I had only five-pence. My grandmother 
will soon have a Bible.’ 1 

“ I hope so, my dear,” said Mrs Graves. 
“ I am sure you cannot spend your money 
better than in providing your kind parent 
with a Bible, such as I can get you for 
half-a- crown, and such as she can read 
herself, during your absence : but, my dear 
little boy, you must not give up reading the 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

Bible yourself ! You must read it daily, for 
in the Bible those things are written which, 
if properly attended to, will save the soul 
from hell, and you may learn through the 
contents of that precious book, so to live in 
inis world as to attain lasting happiness in 
a future life. Bread feeds the tody, out 
the Bible feeds the soul , and the soul is far 
better than the body, for the body must die, 
and go down into the grave, but the soul 
never dies. So, my dear boy, continue to 
read your Bible daily ; you are happy in 
having so excellent a grandmother. And 
now, my children, let us hasten home, or 
your father will be waiting tea. But do 
not allow your son to forget my advice, nor 
your own instructions : fatigued with a 
day’s work, he may feel inclined to neglect 
his Bible, an error which may lead him to 
neglect it wholly/’ 

“ Indeed, ma’am, we will read our Bibles 
together,’ 5 said Mrs. Chew, and they did. 

The whole party at once took leave of 
their new acquaintances, to whom they pro- 
mised another earlv visit, and then they 


36 THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 

made the best of their way home, which 
they reached in time to have a peep at the 
baby ere it disappeared for the night, 
though they could not have their accus- 
tomed romp with their little favorite, be- 
cause they did not get back again, till it 
was time for baby to go to bed.” 

























































































































. 

* 

























































CHAPTER III. 



HE following morn- 
ing, it being the 
pet’s birthday, the 
^ children begged for 
gta holiday, on con- 
dition that they 


would work industriously the next week. 

“ I should much like to give Johnny a 
winter coat.” 

“ I know, Frank, how we could.” 

“How, Eva?” 

“Uncle John told me, that if 1 would 
find out what you two boys would like for 
a present next Christmas, he would feel 
much obliged to me; so, if I say, you 
both want a jacket for a boy, he will send 
you the money.” 

“ Are you agreed, Arthur ?” 

“Quite, Frank; and much obliged to 
uncle John. And now, dear Eva, one of 
your stories.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


“ Never was a person so persecuted for 
stories ! However, I must yield to num- 
bers; but, Mary, allow me ten minutes 
for rest. Last winter, our cousins gave 
me no peace ; and now, you are as bad.” 

“ That is a dear, good sister ! but be 1 
very quick ; one, two, three of the minutes 
are already gone; you have only seven 
more.” 

“ Ah, Edward, you must not torment 
dear Eva.” 

“ I was only urging her not to waste 
time, Frank.” 

“ Did you hear any fairy stories, Eva?” 

“ Yes, Mary ; the old woman of whom 
I speak, sometimes told us one on a cold 
winter’s night.” 

“Ah, nothing more delightful than a 
good story over an excellent blazing fire.” 

“ I am afraid, Frank, we could not al- 
ways command the blazing fire.” 

“ Then, how listen to tales on a cold 
blustering night, Mistress Eva ?” 

“We were quite warm, Frank, indeed ; 
for I assure you, we had a nice stove, 


OR, JOHNNY AND IIIS GRANDMOTHER. 

and nurse Carrie related stories to us fre- 
quently after we were in bed.” 

“But, mamma says, children should 
sleep when in bed.” 

“We were in bed a great deal.” 

“ But why so ?” 

“ You know, Arthur, that we had the 
measles ?” 

“ I was very sorry for you, dear Eva. I 
should not like to go to bed before it was 
time to go to sleep.” 

“ Indeed, there is nothing so very bad 
in going to bed, if one can only hear 
stories! but nurse Carrie would not al- 
ways relate them ; Laura had headaches 
and Tommy suffered from the weather.” 

“And did not you suffer, Eva?” 

“ Much less than they did, Mary.” 

“We heard they suffered very much.” 

“ Yet, they were very patient.” 

“ Are they quite recovered ?” 

* “ Quite so ; and cheerful as ever, Mary.” 

“ Are they very lively ?” 

“Oh, yes, Frank; and they were so 
very kind to me.” 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY ; 


“ And you liked being there T 

“ Very much ; though I missed you all, 
Frank.” 

“ I am glad you have returned. I like 
to hear you speak of our kind cousins.” 

“ They were, indeed, very kind, Arthur.” 

“We must show our love and grati- 
tude to them, next week, by striving to 
give them as much pleasure as possible, 
when they visit us.” 

“We must, indeed, Frank. They would 
never let me thank them.” 

“ Have you thought of a story, dear 
Eva ? But Frank speaks.” 

“A bright thought has just entered 
my head ! Do you not recollect a very 
pretty garden, belonging to Mr. Fenton ?” 

“ Just by Mr. Hare’s, Frank?” 

“ The same, Eva ; there are some beau- 
tiful roses there this summer, besides a 
splendid collection of various kinds of 
flowers ; let us pay his garden a visit ; it 
is not more than a good five minutes walk 
out of our way.” 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 


“But, Frank, dear; is it wise to pro- 
long our walk, even a short five minutes?” 

“ Oh, yes, Eva. In this case, we should 
be acting most prudently; because, the 
last time I saw Mr. Fenton, which is only 
ten days ago, he told me he was going to 
Scotland; and that we might visit his 
gardens when we liked, and that the 
gardener would give us some flowers. So 
you understand, Eva, we may rest there.” 

“I am agreed, then. For how long 
has Mr. Fenton gone away, Frank ?” 

“ For three months, Eva ; and the chil- 
dren have gone with him.” 

“ Is the gardener a pleasant person ?” 

“Very much so, indeed, Eva.” 

“I remember the grounds; though I 
was never there but once.” 

“Oh, Eva, you would have been de- 
lighted in seeing all the magnificent hot- 
house plants they reared last Christmas.” 

“ I hope I may see them this next win- 
ter, Arthur.” 

“Yes; and we shall have so much 
more fun if you are at home with us. 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 


The house is so dull without you, in com- 
parison of what it is when you are here, 
dear Eva. Little Mary, there, scarcely 
sings in your absence.” 

“ I hope my health will not oblige me 
to leave home again ; for though I enjoyed 
myself on many occasions, yet I fre- 
quently wished to be with you all ; and I 
often thought of the pleasant evenings 
you were spending without me. But 
there is the house.” 

* & * & Sfc 

“You can take just as many roses as 
you wish to have ; the family being away, 
we have no use for them here.” 

“ But yet it seems a pity to deprive you 
of them.” 

“Never think of that, Miss; look at 
the numbers we have ! You would, per- 
haps, like to have a few cuttings ?” 

“ I should feel much obliged to you for 
some, if you are certain you can spare 
them.” 

“No difficulty on that point, Miss; 


OH, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

that it is wisest to help Johnny in the first 
instance, and then, to let him provide meat 
for himself and his grand mother for the 
future.” 

“But, mamma, dearest mamma, whatever 
can you mean ? ” 

“A porker, fit for fatting for bacon, would 
cost about nine shillings, but I think that a 
little pig costing about six or seven shillings 
would do for Johnny, as he and his grand- 
mother have ample time to take good care 
of it. I would allow him the slops from this 
house whilst we are here, and perhaps he 
might pick up some food for it in the lanes, 
as well as bedding; which bedding will be 
useful hereafter for manure. In the winter, 
during our absence in town, Thomas must 
have a boy to help him, for his own son has 
a situation under a coachman, and thus 
Johnny, during the four severe months, will 
have to assist our old gardener, for about a 
couple of hours a day; and for this, he will 
receive one shilling a week. Now this sum 
will enable him to feed his pig when he 
cannot get food otherwise ; and either he 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

can kill his bacon, or he can increase his 
stock! whichever he likes: will this plan 
answer ? ” 

“I never thought of Johnny’s keeping 
pigs! mamma; but if you think he can 
manage to do so, why it must be a good 
plan for them: only think, for Johnny to 
own a pig ! it is enough to make one laugh 
— the very thought of such a thing ! But 
mamma, he is to work at farmer Mills’s 
after harvest, and then, the pig will not 
give them meat at once ; these are objec- 
tions. ,> 

“ They seem so, indeed ; but perhaps we 
can remove them, old Thomas knows 
Johnny to be an excellent grandson; and he 
would willingly accommodate his hours to 
Johnny, he says the boy can come before or 
after his regular working hours: as regards 
the meat for the present, this is a more 
difficult matter to deal with satisfactorily, 
but, perhaps you can think of some method 
to remedy the evil.” 

“ Excuse my interrupting you, mamma, 
said Mr. Graves, but how are Mary’s wishes 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

to be carried out ? if I knew what you had 
planned with respect to her, I might per- 
haps, assist Arthur in his difficulty — a great 
one; since the old woman and Johnny both 
require meat at once ; though your plan is 
an admirable one for the future.” 

“Why papa, if you are willing to pay 
for work, I suppose Mary can work as well 
as other people; and then, I thought she 
might purchase so many bread tickets, and 
L)ame Chew and Johnny could use them 
for bread or cakes, as they choose ! ” 

“An excellent plan, and now I think, I 
can hit upon a way to smooth all difficulties. 
Eva wants six and ninepence; Frank, six 
and sixpence; Arthur, we will say, will 
want seven shillings ; and pray, what may my 
little darling want to give every Sunday ? 
I should say, a penny's worth of cakes, or 
a roll, a very good and useful present for 
her to make : will this do, dear Mary, think 
you ? ” 

“ Yes, dear Papa, if you say so ; will not 
Johnny and his grandmother be glad ? ” 
“They will, indeed, my dearest child; 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

and I hope you, each of you, will feel as 
glad as the recipients of your bounty — 
glad, that you should have been enabled to 
assist the distressed widow and helpless 
orphan — and glad that you should have 
fulfilled the commands of God, who bids us 
give to them that need it.” 

“ But papa, there will be four and four 
pence wanted for Mary’s bread and cakes, 
besides all our money ; how can it ever be 
obtained ?” 

“ I think the whole will amount to one 
pound four and seven pence ; eh, Arthur V ’ 

“ Yes, papa ; that is it. Eva’s six and 
nine pence, and Frank’s six and six pence 
make thirteen and three pence ; and Mary’s 
four and fourpence will be seventeen and 
seven pence, and my seven shillings will 
bring the whole to one pound four and seven 
pence. Is it not a great sum for us little 
children to make V 

“ It is indeed ; but you must all remem- 
ber, that the object for which you make it 
is great — to help the aged and the orphan, 
and to obey God’s commands !’* 


CHAPTER Y. 


APA, when 
Mr. Burdett 
came in, you 
just observed, 
that the money 
we required, 
will amount to 
one pound four 
and seven 

pence ?” 

“ Yes, Eva; you will want all that?” 

“ We have settled how to get John a 
thick winter jacket.” 

“ So Frank was telling me, Arthur ; a 
very good way. Your uncle will be glad 
to send you so useful a gift.” 

“ And, papa, it is the same as giving 
our own money, is it not ?” 

“ Yes, Arthur; but you must labor 
yourselves if you want the one pound 
four and seven pence.” 



THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY; 

“ We will, indeed, papa responded the 
elder children ; “but how is it to be made V 9 

“ Thomas is growing old ; he cannot, 
even with the assistance of a boy, keep the 
gravel walks in the nice order I like to see 
them in, neither has he time to weed the 
flower beds : both these duties I wish you 
to take upon yourselves. Every Saturday 
night I expect to see them in perfect order, 
and then I shall pay you what you have 
earned, namely, one and nine-pence per 
week. This rate of pay will make up the 
sum you require in fourteen weeks, except- 
ing one penny.” 

“One penny, one penny,” cried little 
Mary, “ mamma must please give us that.” 

“ Agreed, and moreover, this is Friday, 
the seventh of May. If you commence 
work on Monday, you will complete your 
work towards the end of August. Now Eva’s 
birth-day is on the twenty-ninth of August, 
and I will give you two days’ holiday, the 
first, to make your preparations, and the 
last, to take your presents to the cottage. I 
will also carry them 6 some tea and sugar, 


EVA’S BIRTHDAY. 


x 
























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h ■ 




■ 

^ -,’ V i S /*' ■ ' • ^ 

- . . 

•T. '. . 1 '. . ■XV- 


l 



OK, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

half a pound of the former, and six pounds 
of the latter, and Mrs. Chew shall make us 
some tea.” 

“Thanks, thanks,” shouted the young 
people, “ but papa, how shall we set about 
our work? had we not better divide the 
walks between us ?” 

“ No, Frank, not exactly that, I should 
think. I should advise you and Arthur to 
take the gravel walks, and work together, 
whilst Eva and Mary will get on better in 
the flower beds, there being more shade in 
those parts, but of course I only mean this 
as a general system ; sometimes you can all 
unite in the same work, or any way you 
like. Mary is too young to work by herself, 
whilst Arthur is too rash, and might pull up 
a flower, instead of a weed.” 

“ But papa, dear, what about the meat 
for the present time, dear papa ?” 

“ To be sure, Arthur, I must not forget 
that part of the business. You get good 
tickets for each lesson you say perfect every 
day, and I give you sixpence a dozen at the 
end of the./ week for all you present to me. 



BALTIMORE ORIOLES. 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

Now henceforth I will double this sum, 
since I find you know how to make a good 
use of money.” 

“And will you pay us for the odd tickets 
also Papa?” cried Arthur, who had hitherto 
rarely obtained the coveted dozen ; for though 
he often said a perfect lesson, he quite as 
often said an imperfect one, and the result 
was, that he not unfrequently lost the tickets 
he had previously gained ; for Arthur was 
quick enough, but very inattentive; and 
when this was the case, his parents made 
him forfeit a ticket for a badly said lesson ; 
as they were anxious to cure their little boy 
of his bad habit. 

“Yes, young rogue, I will pay for odd 
tickets too, with mamma’s permission ; and 
this will give you a chance of getting more 
than you have hitherto done : but Arthur 
dear, I hope you will try and get over your 
inattentive habits — unless you take ex- 
ample from Johnny, I shall be much 
disappointed. Now, if you take the fourth 
part of the money you get for your good 
tickets, I think you will make out to buy 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

an excellent Sunday dinner for Johnny and 
his grandmother, what think you ? ” 

“ Indeed, sir, your plan is an admirable 
one, let me count ; if I am careful, I may 
get tickets for my French, Latin, Greek, 
arithmetic and history, five days in the 
week; then, for my geography, writing, 
astronomy, spelling, and verses, three days 
in the week ; not forgetting my composition 
on Saturdays ; and my dancing, of course 
Papa P ” 

“No, no, sir; you are not going to make 
me pay for an amusement, Frank ! 99 

“Very well, Papa,” answered Frank, 
laughing ! “ I can get four and threepence a 
week, if very attentive ; now if the other 
three will make up as much, we shall have 
two and one penny halfpenny a week to 
spend on the Sunday dinner for our new 
acquaintances, and a good dinner it will 
buy ! ” 

“ Not so fast, young man ; not so fast, 
you forget that you have several weeks 
whole holiday throughout the year, and 
many half holidays. Now you will have to 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

provide against these interruptions to your 
earnings, because you will agree with me 
that it will never do to deprive them of their 
accustomed dinner for your idleness.” 

“ True, true, dear papa, but what shall 
we do, set aside part of the money V 9 

“ Yes, I should think one shilling will 
buy them an excellent piece of meat for 
their dinner : the rest can be put aside : 
and should you have any thing over at the 
close of the year, you can spend it in a few 
additional comforts for Christmas. They 
will be very acceptable at that cold season.’' 

“ But papa, will one shilling buy enough 
meat for the two ?” 

“ O yes, Arthur, quite sufficient ! and if 
they have bacon, or some of the inferior parts 
of fresh meat, they could easily make a shil- 
ling’s worth last two days. I hope, children, 
the plans proposed, entirely meet your appro- 
bation ?’* 

“ Oh, yes, papa. Indeed, both you and 
mamma have planned admirably cried 
Eva. But her mother, at this moment, in- 
terrupted Eva, saying : — 


THE WAY TO SPEND POCKET MONEY, 

I have a proposal to make, that I think, 
a very reasonable one. I propose, that 
whichever of the four, gets the fewest bad 
tickets through the week, shall carry the 
old woman’s dinner to her, on the Saturday 
afternoon ; of course to be accompanied by t 
the rest of the party.” 

“ Agreed, mamma, agreed !” answered 
the young people, in one voice. 

“And, my dears, I have another propo 
sition to offer to your acceptance : I do not 
approve of giving to young people, without 
their making some return, unless in cases of 
illness. It teaches them to depend on others, 
instead of on themselves. If, therefore, you 
could any of you think of some trifling work 
for Johnny to do, I should feel much oblig- 
ed to you, and I have no doubt but that the 
boy would feel better pleased to do some- 
thing for what you give him, than if he 
should receive it as a mere gift.” 

“ But papa, would you have him work 
out the whole shilling V' 

“ Certainly not, Arthur. What is given 
for the old woman may be a free gift, and 


OR, JOHNNY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. 

do no harm. She is now quite too aged to 
supply herself with necessaries, let alone 
comforts : thus it is our duty, and should bo 
considered as one of our greatest privileges, 
to assist her in obtaining such trifling luxu- 
ries as may tend to enable the poor creature 
j to pass her remaining years in some kind of 
comfort, but with Johnny the case is differ- 
ent. Though unable at present to earn 
sufficient for his own maintenance, each day 
that passes adds to his ability to do so, and 
one must be careful, whilst we aid his tem- 
porary wants, to teach him self-reliance.” 

“ I heard nurse say yesterday, that if 
possible, she should like some one to help 
her draw baby in his carriage early on Sun- 
day mornings, he gets so very heavy, and 
she does not like to keep Susan from doing 
the rooms, as it would make the latter late 
for church. Could Johnny draw him ? If 
so, he would work a couple of hours, or 
rather less, for his dinner/’ 

“ This will do capitally, Eva, moreover, it 
will not prevent his attending church. And 
now, my dear children; as we have settled 


72 HOW TO SPEND POCKET MONEY. 


the particulars of this important business, 
we will have prayers, and retire to bed : 
little Mary is nearly asleep. Next Mon- 
day, you must commence work in real 
earnest.” 

“Yes, indeed, and we must not forget 
the twenty-ninth of August,” exclaimed 
more than one young voice. 

Mrs. Chew’s latter years were rendered 
happy by Johnny’s industry and affection. 






















• 






MAMMA’S BUDGET, 

OR, 

lailtj Utah tug far little Cljilhmt 


SUSAN AND PEGGY 

OR, 

AVOID TEMPTATION 


THE CHILD’S FRIEND. 


JPfrst glmetfcart from tfee £f)frO JlnfllfeJ) Hliftfon. 


faqo 

PHILADELPHIA: ' 

HAYES & ZELL. 


LONDON: WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1857 . 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
HAYES & ZELL, 

in the Clerk’s Offiee of the District Court of the United States for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 


STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. 




1 








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. ' 









Peggy vainly tempts Susan to disobedience. 




AVOID TEMPTATION, 

OE 

BiJSAN AND PEGGY. 


CHAPTER I. 

US AN was one morn- 
ing sitting at her 
mother’s cottage door, 
busily engaged in tak- 
ing off a little white 
sock from her knitting 
needles; she was sing- 
ing away as happily as 
the pretty feathered songsters that crowded 
the neighbouring hedges, 4 and was endea- 
voring to finish her piece of work, by the 
time of her parent’s return from market ; 
she had about a quarter of an hour's work 
to do, and rarely lifted her bright blue eyes 
from her needles. Suddenly she heard her 
name called, and on looking up, saw on the 
opposite side of the lane, one of her young 
playmates : who called out cheerfully: 



AVOID TEMPTATION; 


“ Come Susan, come quickly, Susan ; 
I have to take this bundle of clean linen to 
the Hall : the young lady there, has a most 
beautiful wax doll, which shuts its eyes, 
and I believe, opens its mouth too, just as 
though it were a real baby ; I am to see it, 
and if you come with me, you will most pro- 
bably see it also. It will be a sight worth 
looking at, the clothes are . so very grand, 
that they might be for Miss Fry herself, so I 
am told ; but make haste, we have not a mo- 
ment to lose. Get your bonnet, quickly !” 

“ How will you get to see it ? ” said 
Susan, who had crossed over to her friend. 

“Oh, you know my cousin Jane is 
nursery-maid at the Hall, she was at our 
house on Sunday last, and she told me 
that if I could persuade Dame Shaw to let 
me take some clean linen to the Hall, she 
would ask Miss Fry to allow her to show 
me this beautiful wax doll.” 

“ Indeed, I should like very much to see 
it, said Susan; but I cannot : for mother 
told me to try and finish this sock before 
she returned.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

" That will not take you long, I can wait 
five minutes, if necessary.” 

“But mother also desired me to keep 
within sight, for that when she came back 
from market, she should want to send me 
on an errand.” 

“And when do you expect her back from 
market ? ” asked Peggy. 

“ I cannot say in the least, she may be 
only half an hour; but then, I think it not 
at all unlikely but that she may call in at 
the baker’s on her return; his wife, you 
know, is very ill ; mother was there a couple 
of hours yesterday evening, and it is prob- 
able she may step in, on her way home, and 
enquire if she can help them this morning, 
or if she will be wanted again this evening: 
should mother do so, I have no idea when 
she may return. ,, 

“ How very provoking ! This is indeed 
unlucky ! ” exclaimed Peggy. 

“ It is indeed unlucky ; ” answered Susan 
sorrowfully: “but Peggy dear, could you 
not wait one half hour? mother may be 
back by that time/* 


AVOID TEMPTATION ; 


“ Impossible ! Sue, impossible ! I would, 
indeed, if I possibly could.’’ 

“Is the clean linen wanted so immed- 
iately, then? ” demanded Susan. 

“Why, not exactly that;” murmured 
Peggy : “but you see,” she continued in a 
more decided tone, “ you see, I made an 
excuse to leave school an hour earlier than 
usual, and I cannot easily play the same 
trick again to day.” 

“But does not your mother know of 
your having excused yourself for leaving 
school ; you would not do so without her 
permission ? ” 

“ Why, you see, the least thing frets my 
mother ; no, I did not name the subject to 
her, no use ! I just told the mistress, I had 
business at home ; and I should not like to 
run the risk of doing so a second time in 
one day.” 

“But could you not leave the bundle safe 
at your mother’s just for one half hour ? my 
mother may be home again by that time ; 
and we should still have time to get to the 
Hall, and back again in time for school.” 


OB, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

Ci I tell you again, my mother does not 
know I am out of school ! ” 

“ But Peggy, you will tell your mother, 
will you not] ” demanded Susan. 

“ Perhaps yes, perhaps no ; just as it 
happens. But I shall certainly go to the 
Hall first : so come along, Sue, without 
more talking, we are late as it is; Jane told 
me I must be there by twelve, or after four, 
for she is generally engaged at other times. 
Get your bonnet quickly/’ 

“ If you would but wait till after four ? " 
pleaded Susan. 

“ Mother will not let me stay from 
school ; and the mistress told me just now, 
that if I was again required at home, I 
must take a message on paper from one of 
my parents ; so this is my only chance to 
see the doll: for to-morrow, they all go to 
Southampton for a month, and thence to 
Havre.” 

“ I am afraid I must miss seeing it at all, 
Peggy, but you can tell me all about it, 
when you return. I dare not disobey my 
mother, and she bade me remain here/’ 


AVOID te? t ptation ; 


“ I am certain your mother would let you 
go, if she were only here : ” urged Peggy. 

“ I think she would, if she could possibly 
do without me; but unfortunately, she is 
not here, and she told me to keep within 
sight until her return : besides which, I 
know mother wants to send me on an 
errand; and it may be of consequence! no, 
no, I dare not venture ; I must not disobey 
my mother ! ” cried Susan. 

“ I tell you we shall have returned long 
before your mother returns from market; 
and she will not know of your absence, 
unless you tell her.” 

“But of course I should tell her, Peggy; 
and if I should not tell her, and she should 
never know that I had disobeyed her orders, 
yet God would know ! He bids us obey 
our parents. I dare not disobey God : no, 
though I should be wicked enough to dis- 
obey my mother, which I would not willing- 
ly do. Indeed, Peggy, I am very sorry, 
but you must, I suppose, go without me.” 

“ What need of being so very particular? 
do you think God cares about such a trifle 


OH, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

as whether you go to the Hall before, or 
after your mother’s return % ” 

“ God cares whether 1 break his com- 
mandments, or whether I keep them. He 
knows all we do. He watches over us all 
the time. He sees us at this very moment. 
Peggy, I dare not displease Him. I will 
not go with you now.” 

“Well, well, just as you please; but 
I think you are a simpleton for your pains, 
that is all I have to say on the matter.” 

“ How can you think I am a simpleton 
for my not being willing to disobey God 
and my mother? Peggy, you know it 
would be wrong.” 

“I know that I do not think myself much 
more wicked than other f people ; and I am 
sure that I do not see there is any such very 
great harm in taking a bit of pleasure quietly ; 
and trying to prevent a fuss being made 
about a mere trifle. But, indeed, you have 
no need to do things slyly, for your mother 
is so very easy tempered that she never 
makes a fuss ; you are a real lucky girl, and 
a real silly one into the bargain, or you 


AVOID temptation; 


would profit more from your good luck 
than you do. I am sure I should.” 

“ Mother is very indulgent, and never 
denies me any pleasure she can give me.” 

‘‘Then why not come along with me? surely 
this is a pleasure she w r ould not deny you. 
Why Susan, Jane tells me the doll has a 
wardrobe full of splendid silk dresses, and two 
beautiful cloaks, besides lots of fine clothes. ” 

“ I should like to see them, as I said 
before, but since I cannot, I must content 
myself with hearing your description of them 
all when you return.” 

“ Well, well, good morning for the pre- 
sent ; I must say you are an obstinate sim- 
pleton. But I must make haste there and 
back again, or mother will miss me.” 

“ Good bye, dear Peggy. I do wish you 
would tell your mother everything as I do. 
I am sure you would be more happy if you 
did, and it is right to do so.” 

“ Well now, I think it is right to keep 
peace as long as one can,” replied Peggy. 

“ But why should your telling your mo- 
ther everything break the peace ?” 


OR, SUSAN ANT) PEGGY. 

“ Because, you see, Susan, my mother is 
not such an easy-tempered person as your 
mother is, nor am 1 so wanting in proper 
spirit as you are. But I cannot talk longer 
now *. I will see you again, and tell you all 
about the beautiful doll, and its wardrobe, 
and all.” 

So saying, Peggy left her disconsolate 
friend, for it must not be supposed that 
Susan did not much regret being unable to 
comply with her playmate’s request. On 
the contrary, the temptation to disobey her 
kind parent, and to break God's command- 
ment, had been so strong, that for a few 
moments the struggle between duty and 
inclination had nearly ended in the triumph 
of the latter, when happily, she obeyed the 
voice of conscience, a monitor to whom we 
should never neglect to listen. 



CHAPTER II. 


O sooner was Peggy 
hidden from Susan’s 
view by a turn in the 
lane, than the latter 
slowly returned to 
her seat, and wiping 
away a couple of large 
tears that forced them- 
selves unbidden to her eyes, once more 
resumed her knitting. Though feeling less 
cheerful than usual, she felt quite satisfied 
at having refused to accompany her friend ; 
she knew that she had pursued the right 
course, in slaying within sight of home until 
her mother’s coming back from market, but 
she could not immediately recover her spirits 
I after her late disappointment, for she had 
hoped that during Peggy’s stay in front of 
their cottage, her mother might have return- 
ed, and allowed her to go and see the 
beautiful doll and all its fine things. 






0 



I 





















* 

























• 
















■ 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 


However, slie worked away at her sock, 
and by degrees her usually bright countenance 
again assumed its wonted happy look. At 
the end of fifteen minutes her socks were 
completed, and the next moment her mother 
fortunately returned. Susan hastened to 
assist her parent, by taking the basket from 
her, and having set it down, stood ready to 
receive her tired mother’s shawl and 
bonnet, which she dusted well, and then 
placed carefully by in their tidy chest of 
drawers. 

“ Did you call in at the baker’s, mother, 
dear V 9 asked Susan, after her mother had 
sat down a few minutes, and appeared a 
little rested, for the morning was warm, and 
her long walk had rather fatigued Dame 
Hawthorne, who was not strong, but who 
never liked to send Susan to the market 
town unnecessarily. 

“ No, my dear, I had not time, for as I 
was leaving the town I met Mrs. Fry’s 
housekeeper. When we were young, we 
used to be great friends, but it is now many 
years since we met, for she has been living 


AVOID temptation; 

abroad with Mrs. Pry. She tells me that 
she is going to remain now, to take care of 
the Hall during the absence of the family for 
the next few months : and as I had a pair of 
your socks in my hand, she looked at them, 
and said, if I took several pairs to the Hall 
immediately, she was certain her mistress 
would buy them for her little grandson ; have 
you more finished ?” 

“ Yes, mother ; here is a pair I completed 
whilst you were out ; but how happens it 
that you brought that pair home again ? I 
thought Mrs. Sleet wanted three pair for her 
baby, and you took no more with you.” 

“ True enough, Susan, but Mrs. Sleet 
only kept one pair of them ; these she thinks 
are rather too small ; I was a good deal dis- 
appointed on her telling me so, for I knew 
you wanted the money very much, but as 
the thing has turned out, it is quite as well ; 
for by Mrs. Mace seeing a pair of them in 
my hand, you will have obtained a new cus- 
tomer ; and this is very fortunate.” 

“ Indeed, mother, it is ; I do hope I shall 
be able to get father a new pair of cloth 


OR, SUSAN AND REG GY. 


trowsers by his birth-day. Am I to make 
the other two pair for Mrs. Sleet’s baby \ I 
do not know how I have made such a mis- 
take.” 

“ Yes, you are to make them by the end 
of next week, and they must be a trifle larger 
than either of the two pair I have brought 
back again.” 

“ And, mother, when you go to the Hall, 
might I accompany you ?” 

“ Yes, surely, child : but why do you 
particularly want to go this morning ? Mrs. 
Mace said she should be happy to see me 
there, whenever I could find time to pass an 
evening with her, and I think it would be 
wiser for you to wait till the family have 
gone, you could then see more of the place.” 

“ Oh, but it is not the place I want to 
see this morning, mother : I want to see a 
great wax doll that belongs to Miss Fry ; 
Peggy has gone to see it and Susan went 
on to tell her mother all the information she 
had herself obtained from Peggy, respecting 
the wonderful doll and its wardrobe ; and 
how Jane had promised to beg her young 


AVOTD TEMPTATION ,* 

lady to permit her to show it to her cousin ; 
and how Peggy had wanted to persuade 
Susan to go with her. 

But this latter did not tell her parent 
that Peggy would have persuaded her to 
disobey the order she had received from 
her mother. To have told this fact would 
have done no good to anybody, and without 
some such motive Susan would never have 
spoken of her playmate to her disadvantage, 
nor would her mother have wished her to do 
so. Both knew that Peggy had bad faults, 
but unless with a view to try and remove 
them, neither mother nor daughter ever 
talked of the failings of others, even be- 
tween themselves. Often Dame Haw- 
thorne’s influence prevented Peggy from 
being as wilful and disobedient as she 
would otherwise have been. The girl’s own 
parents were themselves afflicted with most 
violent tempers: they had spoiled their 
daughter when quite an infant, and she had 
grown up as unmanageable as anv girl of 
thirteen years of age could well be. They 
had at last found out the folly of their own 


01?., SITS AN - AND PEGGY. 

conduct, but they could not \ery easily 
remedy an evil that had been of such long 
standing ; from the time Peggy had reached 
her tenth year, their cottage had become a 
scene of daily wrangling — the parents vio- 
lently opposing their child’s obstinate inde- 
pendence, whilst she would brook no re- 
straint, and to avoid their just, but often too 
angry remonstances, would often have re- 
course to deceit. Mrs. Hawthorne, did not 
think she was a very profitable companion 
for her own girl ; but she pitied Peggy, for 
having being so over-indulged as a young 
child ; whilst she knew she possessed several 
excellent qualities. She was grateful for any 
kindness shown her, and though disobedient 
to her parents, was fond of them ; but early 
bad training had ruined a naturally good 
tempered child. 

After considering for a few moments, 
Mrs. Hawthorne observed : — “ Susan dear, 
if you want to go, the best way perhaps 
will be for you to take the socks yourself. 
They are your own knitting, and I am sure 
you have a good right to present them your- 


AVOID TEMPTATION’ * 

self to Mrs. Pry. But as regards the doll, 
I hardly know what to advise ; I do wish I 
had been at home when Peggy was here, 
you should certainly have gone: yet I 
scarcely think you should be so bold as to 
ask Jane to beg her young lady to show the 
wax doll. It is different in Peggy’s case, 
inasmuch as they are related, and besides, 
Jane offered to obtain her a sight of the 
pretty toy; however you can take your 
chance, I can depend upon your not being 
too forward ; so get ready, dear.’’ 

“But mother, will you not come with 
mel I thought you were coming.” 

“So I was, Susan; but if you go, there 
is no necessity for my doing so, and it is 
now nearly twelve o’clock; I should be 
sorry that we were both of us out on your 
father's return from his work; I will at 
once set about preparing dinner, that he 
may not be detained, for I know he is very 
busy to-day.” 

“I cleaned the knives and forks, they 
are in the near drawer ; and I washed the 
potatoes ; can I do any thing more before 


OB, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

I go, mother ? I forgot, I may make up the 
fire, you will be wanting it in a few 
moments.” 

“ Do so, my dear ; and then put on your 
Sunday frock, and a clean white pinafore, 
before you set off for the Hall You will 
probably see the housekeeper. ’* 

“And shall I put on my Sunday bonnet, 
mother? my shawl is so very old.” 

“Yes, put on your white sun bonnet; 
and do not forget to brush your shoes.” 

Susan made up the fire, and then 
speedily equipped herself for a visit to the 
Hall. She feared Peggy would have come 
away, before her own arrival there ; but yet 
Jane might have been engaged, and so have 
detained her ; and this Susan sincerely 
hoped might prove the case, as it would be 
her best chance of seeing the beautiful 
wax doll. When quite ready, her mother 
gave her the three pairs of little white 
socks, neatly folded up in a piece of clean 
paper ; she then kissed her, and bade her 
lose no time on the way, but to return as 
soon as she could, “ fat you know your father 


AVOTD TEMPTATION". 


always liked you at home for meals, even 
when you were too young to sit at table, 
and though I were absent at work. Your 
father will not come before one to-day, we 
shall dine at that hour : be in time for 
grace, if possible; were you not when little, ^ 
you got no pie i ” 




Susan gathering Water-cresses for her Father’s breakfast. 





























I V 








>4 



Li 110 . • ‘ t , _ 4. .. 1 SY) 1 »4 ' in: h"'\ > f 2 , . J..;« y-^ 

















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CHAPTER III. 


EENLY enjoying the 
prospect of the visit, 
Susan only waited till 
her mother had finish- 
ed speaking, when 
she darted off, and 
ran, rather than walk- 
ed, towards the Hall. 
When about half way there, she met Peggy 
returning, and told her she was carrying 
some socks there by the housekeeper’s de- 
sire, adding eagerly, “ did you see the doll, 
and do you think I shall see it? ” 

“ No, indeed, I am quite provoked/’ ex- 
claimed Peggy in a grumbling tone. “ The 
head nurse has chosen to fancy that she has 
a very bad cold to-day, and then, as the 
family leave to-morrow, she chooses to think 
that it is safer she should not run the risk 
of increasing it by taking master baby out 
this morning, and so she has sent Jane out 



AVOID TEMPTATION; 

with him : and so I have missed the doll. 
It is too bad !” 

“ But she cannot keep the young gentle- 
man out all day. She must be in soon.” 

•‘I only saw the cook, and she said that 
Jane would not be in before one ; and more- 
over, she had desired her to tell me in case 
I went there, that it would be better for me 
to call this afternoon about four o’clock, for 
that she should be out again with master 
Chester before then, and that later, she 
should be engaged packing up for to morrow. 
Now is it not provoking? I am so sorry/’ 

“ Indeed, I am very sorry for your disap- 
pointment, but I think that had you waited 
until now, she would perhaps have managed 
for you to see it.” 

“ So the cook said, but you see, Susan, I 
dare not wait longer now : had I told mother 
before I went to school this morning, she 
would have made a great fuss about it, but 
perhaps she would have consented ; or I 
could have coaxed father, but to have played 
truant in a manner, and to stay from home 
till after dinner, will make them both so 


•• 

' 







On her return home, Peggy meets her father, who indig- 
nantly shows her his unmended sleeve. 



OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

angry that I shall have no peace for weeks.” 

“Why not go back at once, and beg 
them to let you leave school an hour earlier 
this afternoon, and then you can return to 
the Hail at four, and I am now certain 
mother can spare me to accompany you. Do, 
Peggy, will you ?” 

“ I scarcely dare make the attempt ; father 
bade me mend his waistcoat on my return 
from school, ere he should come back to din- 
ner ; for he goes to a funeral this afternoon ; 
but you know, I could not do it before I 
went to the Hall ; and I intended to get 
back in time to begin it, at least ; I could 
have completed the job after dinner, but as 
I waited nearly twenty minutes, till I could 
see the cook, who was engaged with her 
mistress when I arrived, it is now too late 
to touch it till I have dined. It is past 
twelve. Father must be in before this, and 
he and mother will both be angry at my 
having loitered on the way from school, as 
they will suppose. I wish I had told mother 
some way.” 

“ I wish you had, Peggy, indeed. It is 


AVOID temptation; 


better to tell mothers every tiling, I think.’’ 

“Well, it cannot be helped now. However, 
you will be at the Hall by half past twelve, 
and if you wait a few minutes Jane will prob- 
ably have returned, when you can tell her of 
my disappointment, and say, she would o- 
blige me, by doing for you, what she prom- 
ised to do for me ; and thus you can see it.” 

“ But I cannot wait till near one o’clock, 
for mother and father like me to be home in 
time for dinner ; and though I know they 
would excuse my staying on such an occa- 
sion, yet 1 do not like to disappoint them ; 
particularly father, whose work just now, 
keeps him away more than usually ; he goes 
off by five, and never spends more than 
twenty minutes in the house at dinnertime, 
whilst he rarely gets home of an evening be- 
fore eight ; and I go to bed at nine.” 

“ Well, then I suppose it cannot be help 
ed ; we shall neither of us see it. I cannot 
but think you are silly ; but it is useless 
talking, or endeavouring to turn you from 
your own way, when you have made up 
your mind that a thing is right ; and to say 


OH, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

truth, you are perhaps, on the whole wiser 
than I am — certainly, I cannot boast much 
of my management to day.” 

“ Hurry home and tell your mother all 
about the doll; and I will call in after 
dinner. I do not despair of her being 
persuaded to give you an excuse.” 

44 The girls separated ; Peggy, returning 
to parents she had deceived and disobeyed ; 
whilst Susan, ran along at such a speed, that 
another five minutes found her within the 
gate of the village churchyard, whence Dick 
Wells was watching his employer’s sheep, 
and which was near the beautiful grounds of 
the Hall, when she soon reached the kitchen. 

On arriving there, and naming her busi- 
ness, she was at once ushered into the 
housekeeper’s room; here she found Mrs. 
Mace, all good nature and kindness to 
the daughter of her former play-mate and 
early friend. Willing to do the Haw- 
thornes a favor if possible, she herself re- 
paired to the apartments of her mis- 
tress, and showing Mrs. Fry the pretty 
clean socks, asked if she might not send 


AVOID temptation; 


the child who had brought them, for her 
mistress to pay, as she ^was such a nicely 
behaved girl, and the socks were of her 
own knitting. Permission was readily 
granted, and the delighted Mrs. Mace 
returned to her room, whence she immed- 
iately conducted Susan into the presence of 
the venerable Mrs. Pry, who was much 
pleased with the tidy appearance and modest 
manners of our little friend. 

“What do you charge for your socks, 
pray?” asked Mrs. Pry of the blushing 
Susan. 

“Ten pence a pair, ma’am, is what I 
always get; but you can have them for less, 
should you not like to give me so much 
and Susan made a second courtesy. 

“And how many pair do you manage to 
knit ? you have brought me three pair.” 

“ I only began knitting socks last autumn 
ma’am ; and since then, I have knit a pair 
a week. Sometimes I cannot quite finish 
the second sock on Saturday night, but then 
I do not play on the Monday, until the last 
6titch is completed.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

“And I am sure you have adopted an 
excellent plan of getting through your 
work : hut tell me what you do with the 
money ; or perhaps your mother keeps it V* 

“ Oh, no, ma’am ; mother lets me spend 
it as I like answered Susan. 

“And is the way in which you spend 
it a secret? if not, I should like to 
know.” 

“ The first twelve and sixpence I received, 
I spent in a couple of large flannel waist- 
coats for my father ; he had a bad attack 
of rheumatism last spring: his waistcoats 
were very thin, and I thought new ones 
would keep him well.” 

“And I hope your industry and good 
intentions were rewarded by your father’s 
getting through the winter without another 
attack of that bad complaint.” 

“He had a slight attack in November, 
ma’am; he did not get his new flannels 
until late in January ; but he thinks he is 
all the better for them : and he says, they 
feel very comfortable, and he was very glad 
indeed to get them. ” 


AVOTD tfmptatton; 


“ I have no doubt but what they feel very 
comfortable, and I think he is fortunate in 
possessing so industrious a little girl ; but 
you have not told me what you have done 
with the rest of your earnings, may I not 
know, my dear ? ” 

“Please ma’am, I have only twopence 
remaining of my earnings.” 

“But how so \ one pair a week since 
autumn, would amount to how many pair? ” 

“I began early in October ma’am, and 
I finished my thirty-eighth pair this morn- 
ing; that is the pair you hold in your 
hand, ma’am.” 

“ Thirty-eight pair ! well, you have only 
accounted for the spending of twelve and 
sixpence; but tenpence a pair, for thirty- 
eight pair, would amount to thirty-one and 
eightpence. I do not comprehend your 
having only twopence remaining.” 

“ Please ma’am I have to pay about six- 
pence a pair for the wool.” 

“ True, true ; I forgot about the wool : 
but how did you contrive to buy your 
father’s waistcoats so soon as the end of 


OP, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

January? and they costing twelve and six- 
pence ?” 

“Please ma’am, mother advanced some 
money she was keeping for rent.” 

“And where do you find market for all 
your socks in this quiet place 1 ? ” 

“ Several ladies in the neighbourhood 
have purchased a great many from me, 
ma’am ; the rest I sell to a couple of shops 
in the market town. They will take as 
many as I can make.” 

“And do they give you as much as your 
lady customers for your work'? ” 

“ Yes ma’am, but the ladies kindly allow 
me to make theirs quite plain ; whereas, 
those I make for the shops, are many of 
them of very difficult patterns indeed.” 

“And may I ask one more question — 
Pray how are you going to spend your next 
earnings ? Iam curious to know what plan 
you have in view.” 

“Please ma’am, I want to buy father 
a pair of very thick cloth trowsers against 
the winter comes on ; he sometimes feels a 
touch of pain in his knees, and as his best 


AVOID TEMPTATION; 


trowsers are of rather fine cloth, and have 
worn very thin, I thought if I could get 
money enough to buy the materials, a 
neighbour of ours would make them for a 
trifle. I have paid mother back all she had 
advanced.” 

“And how much will the materials cost 
you, and also the making ?” 

“ I can get the materials for ten shillings, 
and Bill Corbit will make them of evenings 
for eighteen pence ; this is small pay, but 
he is good-natured to me.” 

“ Eleven and sixpence you will require, 
why to obtain this sum, how many more 
pairs will you have to make ? more than 
you think for, I am afraid.” 

“ No ma’am, I have counted them already: 
I must make thirty-six pairs.” 

“You were nearly nine months making 
the first twelve and sixpence, when do you 
expect to get these finished? I fear the 
winter will have passed ere you can possibly 
complete them ; that is, unless your mother 
can advance you money again.” 

“ Mother will not be able to advance me 


OH, SUSAN ANT) PEGGY. 

so easily this time as she did the last ; but 
then I begin nearly fourteen weeks earlier 
than I did last year; nor do I want quite so 
much this time, and perhaps if I can get 
six or seven shillings by the end of October, 
our draper will let me have the cloth, and 
allow me to pay him the remainder as I 
earn it. I know Corbit will wait for his 
money willingly.” 

“And pray, how long does it take you 
to make one of these pair of socks'?” 

“ I can make them in thirteen hours, 
ma’am, if I keep steadily at it; I hope 
soon to make them in twelve. Some that 
have more pattern in them than these have, 
take me nine hours each sock. They take 
less time than when I began.” 

“ But if you are so anxious to get a pair 
of warm trowsers for your father, and the 
most difficult socks only take you eighteen 
hours a pair, it appears to me that you 
might make more than one pair a week : 
could you not'? ” 

“Please ma’am I go to school, then I 
help my mother what I can, and I can only 


AVOID temptation: 


knit in my play time ; and indeed I would 
gladly knit the most of my play hours till 
I have got the trowsers for father: but 
mother will not hear of it. She says I must 
have proper exercise, and that father will 
not thank me for any work I do, if I do it 
at the expense of my health. I may get up 
as early as I like, and often I get an hour’s 
work done before school time ; the remain- 
der I do at odd times.” 

“ If your mother says you are not to give 
up your exercise you are quite right to 
obey her : but you look a strong child to 
me ; I do not see why she should be so 
anxious about you, yet of course she is the 
best judge.” 

“ Please, ma’am,” interposed the house- 
keeper, who had just again entered the room, 
“ Dame Hawthorne, this girl’s mother, has 
lost all her children but this one : she is far 
from being a strong person herself, and 
though Susan, here, looks hearty, she was 
a very puny baby, her mother tells me, and 
nothing but the greatest care has made her 
health what it now is.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

“ And the poor father does not seem free 
from suffering, what is he, Mace.” 

“An excellent carpenter, ma’am. Not 
one in a hundred can work so well.” 

“ But he does not appear able to buy even 
the necessaries of life, considering the state 
of his health. I do not comprehend this in 
so skilful a workman as you represent him 
to be. Have they had any particular diffi- 
culties to contend against V’ 

“I understood from the grocer, that 
Hawthorne has paid all the debts of a de- 
ceased brother, and that he has likewise 
provided for several of his orphan nephews.” 

“ That is indeed sufficient to drain the 
purse of even a well-paid carpenter. I wish, 
Mace, I was not going to run away so soon 
again : were the health of Miss Emily once 
established, I would settle down here, and 
see a little to the necessities of my poorer 
neighbours. Perhaps in a few months more 
I may be able to do so ; the physicians give 
me hopes that after next winter Miss Emily 
will be able to remain in England without 
further risk. I think I have heard you speak 


AVOID TEMPTATION; 


of these Hawthornes before, have 1 not ?” 

“Yes, ma’am, she and I were great 
friends when young ; her parents were very 
kind to me, and as I had neither of my own 
from the time I was a baby, they used to let 
me spend many a week in their cottage, 
when my aunt could spare me.” 

“ And what kind of a man is her hus- 
band? does he belong to the neighbourhood?” 

“ No, ma’am, I believe he comes from 
the south, nor have I ever seen him : the 
week I have been here, has been such a 
busy one, that I have not called on one of 
the neighbours, but I met Sarah Hawthorne 
this morning in the town.’ 

“ Did you not say that you went to 
school, my dear ?” 

“ Yes, Ma’am, I have gone to school reg- 
ularly the last five years, except occasionally 
when I had to stay at home to help mother, 
on account of her being ill.” 

“ To the village school ?” 

“No, madam, I go to a Miss Ray- 
mond’s : she is very poor, and oftentimes 
very ill ; and my mother thought that 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

by my going to her cottage, it would be a 
great assistance to her, for she is a cripple/’ 
“ And what may your mother pay Miss 
Raymond for teaching you, my dear?” 

“ Threepence a week, ma’am. If she 
taught me writing, I should have to pay 
sixpence, but father teaches me writing and 
arithmetic almost every evening after his 
return from work. Miss Raymond teaches 
me spelling, reading, and a little geography, 
besides sewing and knitting. She taught 
me to knit socks.” 

tc And how many scholars has— this Miss 
Raymond ? I suppose you are not the only 

one. 

“ Oh no ! ma’am ; she has five besides 
me. She had thirteen last quarter.” 

“ And do they all pay her threepence a 
week, as you say your mother does'?” 

“ Some of them, ma’am, learn writing, 
and those pay her sixpence each.” 

“ And what days do you go to her, and 
how many hours does she keep you in ?” 

“ We h^ve holidays on Saturdays : morn- 
ing school is from nine till twelve, and in 


AVOID TEMPTATION; 


the afternoons we go in from two till four ; 
sometimes it may be a little later before we 
get out, but very rarely beyond a quarter 
past.” 

“ They stay in longer at the parish school, 
do they not ?” asked Mrs. Fry. 

“ Yes, ma’am, they stay in till five, but 
then they have whole holidays on the Sat- 
urdays. I have not been to school this 
morning ; Miss Raymond is gone for a few 
days to see a relation who is not expected 
to recover from an attack of cold.” 

“ I think you said your name was Susan, 
Susan Hawthorne, did you not ?” 

“ Yes, ma’am, I am always called Susan. 
My name is Susan Maria.” 

“ Well, Mace, I scarcely know what to do 
now ; but had I known of this little Susan’s 
being such an excellent knitter, and such an 
industrious child, I would have obtained her 
some work among several of the different 
members of our family, but it is too late, 
I fear ; I bespoke so much for the cook’s 
niece.” 

“ Really, ma'am, such a quantity as Mrs, 


















Mrs. Clayton’s Travelling-carriage. 




OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

James and Mrs. Henry require, might well 
have been divided ; I think they ordered 
twenty-four pairs of worsted stockings be- 
tween them ! but really, ma’am, I did not 
know what sort of a girl Sarah Hawthorne’s 
was. Indeed, ma’am, I have not seen 
Sarah since I entered your service, and that 
was long before this child’s parents were 
married.” 

“ And yet we spent several summers and 
autumns here, previous to my husband’s 
delicate health. Where was your friend all 
that time, Mace ?” 

“She was travelling on the continent, 
ma’am, with Mrs. Clayton’s family, as nurse. 
On their return to England, they paid a long 
visit to the brother of Mrs. Clayton, who 
lived in one of the southern counties, and 
there Sarah fell in with Hawthorne, but she 
would not marry him, if he insisted on her 
leaving her parents ; so, as his own were 
dead, and Mr. Clayton promised him his 
work, and he was then having a great many 
alterations made in the old family house, 
Hawthorne consented to come and stay in 


AVOID TEMPTATION ; 


the neighbourhood, during the life-time of 
Sarah’s parents.” 

“And here they still reside! are the 
parents then yet alive, Mace ? ” asked her 
mistress. 

“No ma’am, but when the Hawthornes 
had been married about two years, the 
village carpenter died suddenly; and as 
there was no one belonging to the place who 
could exactly fill his situation, Hawthorne 
decided on taking advantage of the opening 
thus afforded him; and here they have 
remained ever since. As long as my Aunt 
lived, she occasionally told me how they 
were getting on when she wrote, but for the 
last nine years, I have heard little or noth- 
ing of them, until I met Sarah this morning, 
when I asked the grocer a few questions 
respecting them.” 

“ Well, Susan, I cannot do much for you 
till my return from the continent next 
spring, but then I shall probably be able to 
get some work from friends of mine; in the 
mean time I will give you an order for six 
pair of little worsted stockings, that they 


Oft, 8TTSAN AND PEGGY. 

may be ready against my grandson wears 
shoes in the autumn : when finished, bring 
them to Mrs. Mace, and she will pay you 
for the knitting them ; the worsted I shall 
give you as soon as my daughters return 
from their drive, when I will also obtain 
from Mrs. Chester, a pattern stocking. 
What must I pay you for them a pair? ” 
“Whatever you please, ma’am; and 
many thanks for your kindness. Father 
and mother will be so pleased, and I shall 
have as much knitting as I can easily do 
till autumn, and that without working for 
the shops : I can do the plain knitting so 
much more quickly.” 

“Have you any others ordered then, 
besides these six pair ? ” asked Mrs. Fry. 

“ Yes ma’am, I have two pair to make 
for a Mrs. Sleet, and three pair to make for 
a Mrs. Gore, and four pair to make for 
the twins of a lady living a great way off ; 
but I am to take them to Mrs. Gore, when 
finished, and she will forward them.” 

“ Well, suppose we say that Mace is to 
give you eighteen pence a pair 1 ” 


AVOID TEMPTATION ; 

<f Oh ma’am, that will be quite too much! 
the stockings are plain knitting; and 
though I have never knit any, excepting for 
ourselves, yet I do not think they will 
take very long.” 

“The worsted is very fine indeed, and 
though the knitting is plain, it will be te- 
dious, and will take longer than you expect : 
so let it be as I said, eighteen pence a pair . 
and moreover Mace, should she require it for 
her father’s trowsers, you may advance her 
the money ; and she can complete the six 
pair at her leisure.” 

“ Oh ma’am, 1 can never thank you suffi- 
ciently : then, my father will certainly have 
his new warm trowsers by his birth-day ; 
and I shall not have to beg the draper to 
trust me for the remainder of his money : 
and father always prefers things being paid 
for at the time.” 

“ But you must not omit to let me have 
the stockings by November, Susan.” 

“ They shall be done ma’am, and marked 
also, if you will allow me to try my hand.” 

“ Well, be it so ; and now you can retire 


OB, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

to Mace’s room till my daughter comes in : 
yet, stay, I must not let you go, without 
paying you a trifle for having to detain you 
from your work ; I had no idea your time 
was so valuable, when I sent for you ; here 
is a shilling for you; it can be added to 
your store of earnings, or you can spend it 
in any other way you like ; I should wish 
you to tell your parents, that I think you a 
good little girl, and that you do them much 
credit ; and now step away — but hark ! I 
hear a carriage ; probably my daughters ; 
just see Mace, will you ? ” 

Mace went, and returned in a few mom- 
ents, preceded by Mrs. Chester, and by 
Emily Ery, the latter being an amiable look- 
ing child of about thirteen years old. The 
wax doll, which Peggy had spoken of to 
Susan, was a present from Emily’s aunt, 
Griffiths, and though getting almost too old 
to play with it herself, yet she took great 
pride in showing it to her little friends and 
cousins, and she kept all its things in as 
good order as though it were her sister 
Chester’s baby boy, instead of its being only 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 


a beautiful wax doll. Thus, when her young 
companions came, the doll, its wardrobe, 
and its pretty bedstead, were always sources 
of amusement, and when the rest of the family 
were engaged in packing during their many 
journies in the last few years, Emily had 
busied herself in packing her doll's furni- 
ture ; for she had been taught to give as 
little trouble to the servants as possible ; 
and she was only allowed to carry about a 
number of toys, on the express condition 
that she never unnecessarily occupied the 
time of a servant with them. 

“ Louisa, my dear,’’ said Mrs. Fry to her 
daughter, when this latter had said they had 
met their sister Julia, walking in the park : 
“ here is a little maiden I want some work 
for ; if you will let me borrow that little pair 
of stockings you purchased yesterday for a 
pattern, 1 will let her knit half a dozen pair 
for Maurice.” 

“ Willingly my dear mother ; but she 
appears very young to use such fine needles 
as master baby’s stockings will require ; why 
she does not look above nine years old” 


OH, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

“ Please, ma’am, I was ten years old three 
days ago cried Susan, who began to fear 
that Mrs. Chester seemed afraid to trust the 
knitting into her care. 

“ Yes, Louisa, and I must say, for a child 
of ten, she is an excellent little girl ; not 
only does she knit well and earn money, but 
I am happy to say, that she applies her earn- 
ings to the very best of purposes — the assis- 
tance of an invalid father.” 

“ Indeed mother, I am glad to hear so 
good an account of any child ; I will hasten 
up stairs and get the pattern for her : so 
excellent a daughter deserves encourage- 
ment.” 

“Please ma’am,” cried out the blushing 
Susan on hearing herself thus praised, “ I 
do not know how I could otherwise spend 
my earnings than on father or mother ; and 
mother thought father stood more in need 
of warm clothing than she did, and this is 
why I gave the flannel to him, and why I 
am now going to get him the trowsers.” 

Mrs. Chester smiled on witnessing the 
anxiety of the child to account for her filial 


AVOID temptation; 


piety; but she gravely answered: “There 
needs no apology my little woman, for your 
applying your earnings to such a good use 
as might be expected from a dutiful and 
affectionate daughter : but you know some 
children might have spent their earnings on 
finery for themselves; or in cakes, or can- 
dies, without thinking of their parents : or 
they might have preferred idling away their 
time, and have earned nothing.’' 

“Ah, ma’am ! but then they could not 
have had such good parents as I have.” 

“Your parents my dear, must be good 
ones I think, since they have brought up 
their child so industriously, and so well 
disposed as you appear to be: but now 
I will get the pattern, it is getting late ; 
and I fear there may be rain ere you get 
back.” 

“Stop my dear; cannot Mace get the 
pattern? you appear tired; tell her where 
to get it : meantime, look at these pretty 
little socks, I have just bought from Susan 
here:” and Mrs. Chester having directed 
Mace from which of her drawers to fetch 


OB, SUSAN AND PEGGY, 

the pattern stocking, next examined the 
socks, but ere she could speak, Emily, who 
had advanced on her mother’s opening the 
white paper, said: — “Oh, mamma! what 
pretty little socks, how I do wish I could 
have some like them for my wax doll ; may 
she not make me a pair, dear mamma ? ” 

“ Really Emily, I do not know whether 
Susan can make them sufficiently small, 
you must ask her ; indeed, the safest way 
would be for her to take the measure of 
your doll’s foot. Do you imagine you could 
then make a pair, Susan ? ” 

“Please ma’am, I think I could after 
two or three trials, if not immediately/’ 
“Well, mamma, then I think I will have 
two pair, one white, and one pink and white : 
and how much does the little girl charge 
for knitting them l ” 

“Oh she must answer you herself, on 
that point; these cost tenpence a pair/’ 

“ Please Miss, I shall be happy to make 
your doll’s socks for nothing ; the lady has 
been so very kind to me, and they will not 
take much wool, nor very much time.” 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 

“By no means, I cannot allow you to 
work for my doll, for nothing ; and I will 
pay you tenpence a pair.” 

“But that will be too much, Miss; I 
have tenpence a pair for socks for real 
babies.” 

“ But they may be more difficult to knit 
than you imagine ; do you think tenpence 
a pair too much, dear mamma, for Miss 
Isabellas socks?” 

“ I think not, considering Susan may have 
to make several attempts ere succeeding.* 

“I will run and get my doll; or suppose 
the little girl comes up stairs, mamma \ she 
would perhaps like to see its clothes, and 
wardrobe, and bedstead whispered Emily. 

“I have no objection, my dear; and 
as the pattern stockings are packed away, 
so that it will take Jane ten or fifteen 
minutes to get them, you will have plenty 
of time to gratify Susan.” 


CHAPTER IY. 


S Emily and Susan 
stepped across the 
splendid hall, the 
latter paused for a 
moment as they 
drew near a stand, 
on which were 
placed a large number of flowers in full 
bloom. 

“ Ho you like flowers V 
“ Y ery much, indeed, Miss.” 

“ Have you any at home ?” 

“ A few common ones, and a few very 
pretty roses ; but I never before saw such 
beautiful flowers as these !” 

“ Have you any geraniums V 
“ No, Miss ; we had several, but they 
died last year. Father was so delicate 
all the winter, that mother could not 
attend to them ; and, unfortunately, I did 



AVOID temptation; 


not understand how to keep them alive. 
We lost them all before Christmas.’’ 

“ Would you like to have some more ?” 

“Yes, Miss; if — if you think I might 
take them ?” 

“Oh, I know you may take those I 
shall give you ; I shall give you some of 
my own. You see, mamma wants me to 
spend a great deal of my time in the open 
air ; so I have a small garden and a shelf 
in the green-house for my plants, on con- 
dition I take care of them myself. I may 
do what I choose with my own ; and you 
shall have some of them. When we 
have settled about the right measure of 
Miss Isabella’s socks, and have taken a 
peep at her wardrobe, we will run to the 
green-house, and you shall take your 
choice of my flowers.” 

“ Thank you, Miss.” 

“ Let us then hasten up stairs ; or, stay 
— it will perhaps be wiser to go to the 
green-house first.” 

“ Is it far from the house, Miss ?” 

“Oh, no, that door leads to it; you 




' 


« A 


9 



u l will run with these flowers, and overtake Papa. 




OK, SUSAN AND PEGQY. 


have your bonnet on, and luckily, I have 
not taken off my hat.” 

* $ $ * $ 

“ Here we are ; no great distance, I am 
sure. See there, Susan; there are my 
flowers, all on that shelf are mine ; take 
any geraniums you like ; and this little 
rose; and see that — ah, do you admire 
that myrtle so much ; but it is not mine ! 
it has been placed here by mistake ; how- 
ever, I will ask mamma if you may have 
it.” 

“ Oh, no, Miss; do not trouble your 
mamma, if you please. I would not 
have thought of it, but that you told me 
all on this shelf belonged to you, and that 
I might select any I liked.” 

“Well, well, choose away! we will 
see about the myrtle presently. Hah! 
there is papa ; he is going to see poor Mr. 
Lermon, who is confined to his room; 
stay here a moment, I will run with these 
flowers and overtake papa ; Mr. Lermon 
is so fond of a few green-house plants ” 

“ I had a hard run ; but I have been 


avoid temptation; 


rewarded for my trouble. Papa has set- 
tled regarding the myrtle ! You may 
have it and welcome.” 

“ I am very much obliged to you, Miss, 
and to your papa. I think I have as 
many now as we can place on our window- 
sills ; how surprised and delighted father 
and mother will be l” 

“But you have only selected seven; 
surely you can find room for more than 
those?” 

“ Our windows are very small, Miss.” 

“ But have you no garden ?” 

“ A very nice little one, Miss ; but it is 
scarcely fit for such flowers as these ; it is 
not sufficiently protected from our neigh- 
bor s poultry.” 

“ That is too bad !” 

“ You see, Miss, there is nothing but a 
low fence between the bits of ground 
round our two cottages.” 

“Then they should not keep poultry, 
if they have no means of preventing its 
doing mischief to their neighbor pro- 
perty ” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“But were it not for their eggs and 
chickens, old Thomas would not be able 
to keep himself and his wife out of the 
almshouse; and, therefore, father does 
not like to complain. He says that all 
persons, but particularly the poor, must 
learn to bear and forbear.” 

“ Yet it seems to me, old Thomas and 
his wife have the best of it, it would 
appear ; they have no reason to bear nor 
forbear !” 

“Ah, yes, Miss; they are great suf- 
ferers from rheumatism; they seldom 
know what it is to have a moment’s com- 
plete ease from pain ! Then, if their 
poultry does injure some of our plants, 
the good old couple often do us a kindness 
by way of amends. Indeed, I often take 
them a pail of water, that is always thank- 
fully received ; for the pump is no short 
distance from our cottage.” 

“ But you are very little to carry pails 
of water far !” 

“ I do not carry them quite full ; I carry 
most of the water mother uses.” 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 


“But that must occasion you to go 
very often to the pump ?” 

“Yes; but it only gives me a little 
more trouble; and that is of no conse- 
quence.” 

“You must be a great help to your 
mother, Susan.” 

“ I try to be so, Miss ; but I cannot do 
for her all I would wish to do.” 

“ It seems to me, you do more than 
many other little girls do.” 

“ Ah, Miss, you do not see how poor 
people’s children work; many of them 
aid their parents much more than I do.” 

“Hark! mamma calls me. I will be 
back in a moment.” 






. 





















-> 





CHAPTER V. 



ear, mamma 
says I had 
better show 
you my tur- 
tle dove ; it is 
a beautiful 


bird; step this way. There, look at it; 
do not go near it ; we had better keep out 
of its sight. It is tame, but so gentle, 
that I never like to surprise it. Do you 
not think it beautiful ?” 

“ Very pretty, indeed ; I never saw a 
more beautiful bird.” 

“We will now return to the green- 
house. I should like you to walk through 
it entirely, since you are so fond of 
flowers.” 

“ Thank you, Miss ; I never expected 
to have seen so many beautiful plants.” 

“ I see the net over the grapes is broken.” 

" I could mend it, Miss, if you like.” 


AVOID temptation; 


“ And you knit so nicely ! Indeed, 
Susan, I think you are a very clever little 
girk” ^ 

“Oh, Miss; mother could knit very 1 
nicely when only four years old; and 
there is a child living near us, who is not 
yet six years old, and she got a prize this 
summer for her spinning. And her 
younger sister knits nicely.” 

“ And what prize did the little spinner 

get r 

“She brought home six shillings in 
clothing.” 

“ An acceptable present to her parents ! ” 

“ Yes, indeed ; for though they live in 
a comfortable cottage, yet the father is 
only a day laborer, and he has nine chil- 
dren to support.” 

“What a number for a poor man to 
feed and clothe ! But, perhaps, he ob- 
tains assistance of some kind ?” 

“ No, Miss ; Harry Townsend has 
hitherto provided for his family by his 
own exertions; with what help he can 
get from his wife, of course !” 










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71 






OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“ And with the aid he obtains from the 
little knitter and spinner, you must not 
forget them.” 

“Ah, Miss, all the children are indus- 
trious.” 

“ And do they all live at home ?” 

“Yes, Miss; the oldest of them is not 
more than fourteen.” 

“But, Susan, do none of the little 
Townsends go to the parish school ?” 

“ Yes, Miss ; their father has managed 
to let the elder ones attend for two or 
three years each ; the fifth and sixth now 
go there. Indeed, if you look through 
that opening in the shrubbery, you may 
see the village school far away ; the chil- 
dren are playing about. I can just see 
them indistinctly.” 

“ Stay, look through this glass ; ah, you 
have it too high; now that is right; can 
you not see more clearly ?” 

“ Oh, yes, Miss ; I see Aaron Townsend 
running after Dick Wells, and little Lizzie 
Townsend is standing near the door, wait- 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 


in g till her brother shall have finished his 
race : she is a patient little thing.” 

“ What time do the children dine ?” 

“ They are dismissed at twelve.” 

“ But it is now nearly one o’clock ! yet, 
the children are still there; and from 
what I see, they do not seem to have any 
thought of going home.” 

“ Many bring their dinners with them.” 

“And is Lizzie Townsend the little 
spinner ?” 

“Yes, Miss.” 

“ And does the little knitter attend the 
school?” 

“ No, Miss ; the distance is too great ; 
but she knows her letters, one of her sis- 
ters teach her.” 

“ Hah, there is one o’clock striking ; if 
you have looked at the flowers enough 
and have selected all you want, we had 
better go to Miss Isabella ?” 

“ I am quite ready, Miss.” 


fjjamma’s futrpi 


MARK; 

A SEQUEL 

TO 

SUSAN HAWTHORNE. 


THE CHILD’S FRIEND. 


jjfrst Slmettom from tfoc 2Tf)frTj 32njjlfs| I^ftfon. 



H AYE S & ZELL. 

LONDON: WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH, 

PATERNOSTER ROW. 

1857 . 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
HAYES & ZELL, 

in the Clerk’s Offiee of the District Court of the United States for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 


STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. 














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CHAPTER I. 

HE good-natured Em- 
ily Fry tripped away 
happy as a girl could 
be, feeling delighted to 
please a child she had 
heard so highly praised 
for filial piety, whilst 
Susan was almost beside 
herself with joy at the 
thought of seeing the wonderful doll and all 
its possessions; but on entering Emily’s 
room, other things first struck her observa- 
tion — there were the lesson books and work 
boxes, and there was the velvet-cushioned 
chair, on which was laid the Bible, that 
Emily used night and morning. The chil- 
dren passed about fifteen minutes looking 
at miss Isabella and her frocks, &c., when 
Susan having taken the measure of the 
young lady’s foot, and one of her red shoes as 



AVOID temptation; 


a more certain guide for size and shape, 
Emily, thinking to gratify her little com- 
panion, opened the door of a small room 
adjoining, and there displayed to the 
astonished Susan all her treasures ! 

“ Ah, what a beautiful work-box ! Do 
you like sewing, Miss ?” 

“No, I cannot say I do: I prefer 
reading to using my needle. I should 
rarely put in a stitch, were it not that 
mamma likes me to sew a little every 
day.” 

“ Ah, I am not so fond of sewing, as I 
am of a book — that is a story book — but 
I am obliged to use my needle very often : 
mother’s eyes are much weaker than 
formerly, and thus I try to do as much 
of the needle-work as I can.” 

“ But you knit, all your spare time, I 
suppose ; I do not see that you can find 
much leisure for sewing ?” 

“ Oh yes, I can manage to get through 
more than you would suppose, Miss ; for, 
happily, we are allowed to take our 
needle-work to school with us ; and thus 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


I frequently work there for a couple of 
hours at a time” 

“ But that is a long time to allow you 
for needle-work ; I should have thought 
your lessons would have occupied the far 
greater portion of your school-hours. 
Work a couple of hours at a time ! I 
should not like that plan at all.” 

“ Our teacher says, that for girls in my 
situation, it is more necessary to sew well, 
than to read fluently ; and, therefore, as 
soon as we can read tolerably well, she 
is more anxious to give us instruction in 
needle-work, than in books.” 

“ My mamma tells me, a young lady 
ought to be able to work well ; she says, 
it is a woman’s business ; and that how- 
ever accomplished a girl may be, yet, if 
she has not been thoroughly instructed in 
the use of her needle, her education is a 
neglected one !” 

“ Ah, I thought it was only necessary 
for poor persons to learn to sew ; the rich 
can have all their work done for them.” 

“ That is true in some respects ; but my 


AVOID temptation; 


mamma says, that there are occasions, 
when even the comforts of the rich may 
be enhanced by a lady’s having a com- 
plete knowledge of needle-work — instance, 
she can then give her own instructions ; 
and should they not be carried out to her 
satisfaction, she can easily point out the 
error, and explain how it can be remedied. 
Again, there are moments, when a piece 
of work may prove a relief against idle- 
ness — even I, little as I like the occupa- 
tion, have often taken a bit of sewing up 
with pleasure, whilst listening to the 
agreeable conversation of my parents and 
their friends.” 

“ But then, there is fancy work ! that, 
I should think would be more suitable for 
a young lady, than plain useful sewing ?” 

“My mamma tells me, that useful 
knowledge is no less suitable to the higher 
classes, than to those in the humbler 
walks of life : besides, though I am not 
particularly fond of hemming and stitch- 
ing, yet, I sometimes think, I should like 
to make a set of clothes for a little sister.” 


OB, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“But, Mrs. Mace told me that you 
have no little sister; and besides, you 
would scarcely be old enough to make a 
complete set of things for a lady’s child.” 

“ I have no dear wee sister, I regret to 
say ; but had I one, I think I should have 
no insurmountable difficulty about making 
its clothes; of course, I should need pa- 
tience; but mamma would say, that in- 
dustry and energy will conquer most dif- 
ficulties ; and it would be such a pleasure 
to dress a baby in. work of my own.” 

“ I think you would find it a more trou- 
blesome business than you now suppose 
it; but I wish you had a little sister, just 
that you might try.” 

“ Ah, my niece Effie has such a delight- 
ful time with her baby. She is younger 
than I am. Effie is but nine years old ; 
yet she does so much for her little brother ! 
And he is such a sweet-tempered, affec- 
tionate darling, he very rarely cries; and 
if he does begin to fret about his teeth — 
those troublesome teeth — a smile or a song 


AVOID temptatiun ; 


from Effie will generally restore him to 
good humor immediately.” 

“Yes, it is easy playing with a baby 
but it is quite a different affair to make 
its clothes.” 

“Ah, but I was going on to say Effie 
took it into her head that she should like 
to make a set of frocks for Master Mau- 
rice ; her mamma could not believe it pos- 
sible that so young a girl would succeed in 
such an undertaking ; and thus, my sister 
did all in her power to persuade her 
daughter to give up the idea — ” 

“ Excuse my interrupting you ; but 
why did her mamma not wish her to 
try.” 

“My sister has a great objection to a 
young person’s commencing any thing, 
and then giving it up when difficulties 
occur; she thinks the habit a very bad 
ine ; hence, her objection to Effie’s making 
an attempt which she imagined was al- 
most certain to fail. So, as I was observ- 
ing, my sister endeavoured to convince 
Effie of the folly of even thinking on th6 








“Effie exerted herself to convince her Sister, 



OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


subject, 'jntil she should be two or three 
years older.” 

“ And was Miss Effie convinced ?” 

“ Oh, no, on the contrary, as her 
mamma tried to prove that the little 
dresses she was going to cut out, would be 
far too difficult for an unpractised hand to 
make, Effie exerted herself to convince 
my sister that she was fully equal to the 
undertaking; begging my sister to recall 
to mind, how beautifully the doll’s clothes 
had been made by her own fingers the 
previous Christmas ; and ending by as- 
suring her mother that, if she should 
spoil one of Maurice’s dresses, all her 
savings — a treasure set aside for the pur- 
chase of a doll’s wardrobe — should go to 
repair the evil.” 

“ And did her mamma consent ?” 

“ At length, though much against her 
judgment ; but as sister Louisa afterwards 
admitted, she could no longer withstand 
the earnest pleadings of Effie, as she thus 
entreated to be allowed to spend a portion 


AVOID temptation; 


of her play-time, in behalf of the sleeping 
brother.” 

“ And how did Miss Effie succeed in 
her attempt?” 

“ Oh, admirably ! It, of course, required 
very great patience, not only on her own 
part. Her kind mamma was frequently 
interrupted in some important duty, that 
she might devote a few moments to rec- 
tify one or other of the many errors com- 
mitted by the youthful dress-maker! 
but seeing Effie so anxious to conquer all 
difficulties, my good sister grudged no 
trouble the gratification of her little 
daughter’s fancy occasioned herself ; and 
ah, was not Effie happy, when the last 
stitch was put in the last tuck of Master 
Maurice’s robe !” 

“ And, Miss Effie did every stitch her- 
self?” 

“ Every stitch ; nor is that all ; for 
having finished one frock, she now readily 
persuaded her mamma to allow of her 
completing the whole set; twelve in 
number !” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“ And how long did she take to finish 
them ? — so many !” 

“Not so long as you would probably 
suppose; because her mamma permitted 
her to work at them instead of at any 
other sewing ; and as she usually gave uj 
an hour to her needle every day, this time, 
added to the portion she took from her 
fancy work, one of her favorite recrea- 
tions, made from two to three hours, 
which she allotted to Master Maurice 
daily ; and by steadily pursuing this plan, 
she accomplished her work in four months; 
or, perhaps, a week or two more.” 

“ They had not a great deal of work in 
them, I suppose ?” 

“Oh, no; they were mostly tucked 
frocks; three or four of them had insert- 
ing introduced.” 

“ I think her mamma must have been 
almost as well pleased as Miss Effie her- 
self?” 

“ Quite so; and since then, I have often 
wished that I also had a little sister or 
brother.” 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 


■ “I have sometimes wished for one; 
hut — but I — I have as much to do for my 
father and mother, as I could have to do 
for a sister or brother.’ , 

“ Yet it is not the same thing ! Your 
parents take care of you ; but had you a 
little brother or sister, you would take 
care of it.” 

“ True, Miss, my parents do take care 
of me ; but yet it seems to me as though 
I take care of them also !” 

“ How so ? I do not comprehend you ; 
explain, please, Susan. I am anxious to 
know how you can take care of your 
parents; a little girl take care of her 
parents !” 

“ Yes, Miss ; you see if I feel a draught, 
I hasten to prevent its being felt by father, 
to whom it may occasion a fit of rheuma- 
tism. I brush all his cloth clothes for 
him; dust his chair down against he 
comes into his meals; fetch his great coat 
for him in winter; and, indeed, I mend 
the most of his clothes, since mother’s 
eyes have been ailing. For mother, I 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


can do so much more than even for 
father; there are a hundred little things 
I can do for her ; and she often says, that 
I not only save her a great deal of trouble, 
but that I have saved her many an ill- 
rless.’ , 

“ Ah, I see you have no occasion for a 
baby sister or a baby brother, in order to 
have some one to take care of and work 
for ; you have your parents.” 

“ But have not you your parents ?” 

“ Oh, yes ; but they do not require my 
care; that is, we have persons to work 
for us ; yet I suppose, I think, there are 
some things I might do for them; yes, 
two days ago, I might have saved mamma 
half an hour’s anxiety about the note she 
thought was lost ; yes, had I run myself 
in search of it, instead of sending old 
Paul who cannot move quickly, I could 
have soon set her mind at rest. Yes, yes, 
Susan, you have taught me a lesson !” 

“ How so, Miss ? I did not presume to 
teach you any thing ; I am far more igno- 
rant than yourself.” 


AVOID temptation; 


“ Susan, you have taught me that I had 
better take care of papa and mamma, and 
of all within my reach, than idly lament 
the want of baby brother or sister. I 
must turn over a new leaf. I must have 
a colloquy with myself.” 

“ A what ?” 

“A colloquy.” 

“ What does that mean, Miss ?” 

“A talk; a conversation. I mean, I 
must have a talk with myself. Did you 
never read ‘ A colloquy with myself/ by 
Bernard Barton?” 

“ No, Miss ; no.” 

“ Do you like poetry ?” 

Yes, Miss. I like hymns very much.” 

“ This is not a hymn ; but it is worth 
reading.” 

“ I have never seen it, Miss.” 

“ I cannot lend you the book, it is not 
mine ; but we have still a few moments 
to spare ; and, if you like, I will read it 
to you now.” 

“ I will listen with pleasure.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


A COLLOQUY WITH MYSELF. 


As I walked by myself, I talked to myself, 
And myself replied to me; 

And the questions myself then put to myself, 
With their answers, I give to thee. 

Put them home to thyself, and if unto thyself 
Their responses the same should be, 

0 look well to thyself, and beware of thyself, 
Or so much the worse for thee. 

What are Riches ? Hoarded treasures 
May, indeed, thy coffers fill ; 

Yet, like earth's most fleeting pleasures, 

Leave thee poor and heartless still. 

What are Pleasures ? When afforded, 

But by gauds which pass away, 

Read their fate in lines recorded 
On the sea-sands yesterday. 

What is Fashion ? Ask of Folly, 

She her worth can best express. 

What is moping Melancholy ? 

Go and learn of Idleness. 


AVOID temptation; 


What is Truth ? Too stern a preacher 
For the prosperous and the gay ; 

But a safe and wholesome teacher 
In adversity’s dark day. 

What is Friendship ? If well founded, 

Like some beacon’s heavenward glow; 

If on false pretensions grounded, 

Like the treach’rous sands below. 

What is Love ? If earthly only, 

Like a meteor of the night ; 

Shining but to leave more lonely 

Hearts that hailed its transient light : 

But, when calm, refined and tender, 

Purified from passion’s stain, 

Like the moon, in gentle splendor, 

Ruling o’er the peaceful main. 

What are Hopes, but gleams of brightness, 
Glancing darkest clouds between ? 

Or foam-crested waves, whose whiteness 
Gladdens ocean’s darksome green. 

What are Fears ? Grim phantoms, throwing 
Shadows o’er the pilgrim’s way, 

Every moment darker growing, 

If we yield unto their sway. 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


21 


What is Mirth ? A flash of lightning, 
Followed but by deeper gloom. — 

Patience ? More than sunshine bright’ning 
Sorrow’s path, and labour’s doom. 

What is Time ? A river flowing 
To Eternity’s vast sea, 

Forward, whither all are going, 

On its bosom bearing thee. 

What is Life ? A bubble floating 
On that silent, rapid stream ; 

Few, too few its progress noting, 

Till it bursts, and ends the dream. 

What is Death, asunder rending 
Every tie we love so well ? 

But the gate to life un-ending, 

Joy in heaven ! or woe in hell ! 

Can these truths, by repetition, 

Lose their magnitude or weight ? 

Estimate thine own condition, 

Ere thou pass that fearful gate. 

Hast thou heard them oft repeated ? 

Much may still be left to do : 

Be not by profession cheated ) 

Live — as if thou knew’ st them true I 


AVOID temptation; 


As I walked by myself, I talked to myself, 
And myself replied to me ; 

And the questions myself then put to myself, 
With their answers, IVe given to thee. 

Put them home to thyself, and if unto thyself 
Their responses the same should be, 

0 look well to thyself, and beware of thyself, 
Or so much the worse for thee. 


“ Thank you, they are beautiful lines, 
I suppose, but I do not understand them ; 
at least, not all of them.’’ 

“ Ah, they require to be read over re- 
peatedly. I think you would soon com- 
prehend them, I am certain you would, 
if mamma explained them to you.” 

“ Peggy, I dare say, would understand 
the lines from your reading them ; she is 
quicker than I am. Poor Peggy ! I wish 
she had been here.” 

“ Who is poor Peggy ?” 

“ Only a little girl, Miss, who was so 
anxious to see your doll, and its beautiful 
wardrobe.” 

“How did she hear of it, Susan?” 

“ From a friend, Miss.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“I should be delighted to have shown 
her Miss Isabella ; had she come with you 
she might have seen it now.” 

“ I wish she had accompanied me.” 

“ I cannot show it her after to-day ; for 
we leave to morrow.” 

“ Do you take the doll with you, 
Miss?” 

“Not this time, Susan. My good old 
nurse is going to pass the winter with her 
friends in Glasgow, and she promised me 



Glasgow Cathedral. 

to take charge of my doll; and, indeed, 
of all my toys, till my return.” 

“ Shall you not want them abroad ?” 
“No, I think not; my health is so 
much better than formerly, that I must 
try and work hard at my lessons this 


AVOID temptation; 


winter, and thus make up for lost time. 
But come, think no more of your friend’s 
disappointment, her absence cannot be 
helped ; though I wish she had seen Miss 
Isabella ” 






Emily selects a Toy for her Nephew, 



CHAPTER II. 


IRECTING Susan 
to wait in the 
school-room, Emily 
stepped into the 
small study, a ser- 
vant having said 
the toyman had 
brought some articles that she might select 
a plaything for her nephew . This little 
matter arranged to her satisfaction, Emily 
having ascertained Master baby was 
asleep, and consequently unable to receive 
his aunt's present immediately, again 
joined Susan; and the two little girls 
having admired the new toy to their 
heart’s content, whilst they at the same 
time regretted the young gentleman’s 
having taken so very incovenient a mo- 
ment for his nap; and Susan having 
counted the stitches of one of the doll’s 
stockings she had found on the school- 
room table, considering this means 



AVOID temptation; 


an additional precaution for having her own 
work the exact size, they both descended to 
the drawing-room. Mace had just presented 
Mrs. Pry with the pattern stocking for 
Maurice’s worsted ones, but both Mrs. Pry 
and Mrs. Chester were too anxiously listen- 
ing to the head housemaid’s account of some 
disappointment to be able to attend imme- 
diately to Susan. So Emily desired her to 
wait patiently, whilst she advanced to her 
mother’s arm chair : “and you could not see 
the girl, Whitney ? ” said the latter lady in 
a rather discontented tone ; “ this is very 
annoying : I thought the affair as good as 
settled. Mace must have some one to 
assist her ; and there is now no time to 
look about for help.” 

“ Indeed, ma’am, I am both angry and 
vexed, to think your dependence on me 
should have caused you such inconvenience : 
but I could not help my cousin being taken 
ill, and but for that, she would have suited 
Mrs. Mace exactly.” 

“I do not see how you are to blame, 
Whitney ; nor yet why you should be angry 


OH, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

at any one ; it is an accident, and we must 
make the best of it.” 

“ I cannot but feel angry, ma’am ; for I 
need not have wasted the last hour if I had 
not been directed to look after a girl who 
appears to me everywhere but in the right 
place; had it not been for this waste of 
time, I could have gone elsewhere ; no doubt 
I could have heard of one in the market ; 
some quiet country girl would have been 
just the thing ; but it is now too late to try 
to-day.” 

“ What do you mean by being directed to 
see after a girl who appears to be every- 
where but in the right place ? pray explain 
yourself. I thought you said your cousin was 
ill in bed ; and, poor girl, I do not see why 
you should be angry at any one for that.” 

“ But ma’am, my aunt desired me to call 
at one Jane Wells : she said they were very 
respectable people, and had two boys and a 
daughter, who was a fine clever girl about 
twelve years old ; and that she felt confident, 
that both the parents and their child, would 
be delighted for her to come here and assist 


avoid temptation; 

Mrs. Mace the next few months : so I went 
there, ma’am, and decent looking people 
they seem, though I have seen more tidy 
cottages ; however, I did not suppose that 
would matter, if the girl would do ; but Peg- 
gy, as they called her, was at school, her 
mother said : and both her parents ex- 
pressed the most grateful satisfaction, on 
hearing there was a chance of their girl 
being employed at the Hall. So to the 
school I went, but when I got there, I found 
from the mistress, that Peggy had left for 
home above an hour, having something 
particularly to do for her mother, and which 
could not wait till school was over.” 

“ It seems strange, indeed ; but may she 
not have passed you on the road P ” 

“No ma’am if the mistress speaks truth; 
for I was not five minutes walking from 
their house to the school : but Jate as it was 
T decided on going back again, and when I 
arrived there, her mother flew off in a 
violent passion when I told her what the 
school mistress had said, declaring that 
it was some trick of the girl’s.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“But do you mean to say that the girl 
was absent from school on false pre- 
tences ?” 

“ I should not like to say that, ma’am ; 
yet it is very certain, that the mother and 
the school-mistress gave quite different 
accounts regarding the child ; and I could 
not make out where the girl really was.” 

“ At least, that part of the matter seems 
certain, Miss Wells is not to be found !” 

“I do not know what to do. I can 
hear of several persons who want their 
children to be taken on trial ; but there 
are objections to all of them.” 

“ I am afraid, Whitney, you are too par- 
ticular !” 

“ Oh, no, ma’am ; I am sure you do not 
want a girl in the house whom you can- 
not fully trust.” 

“ Of course not ; but we must also re- 
member that it is unreasonable to expect 
to find old heads on young shoulders.” 

“True, ma’am; but yet, a girl would 
be worse than useless, who should not 
turn out truthful, obedient, and indus- 


AVOID temptation; 


trious. Could we only get one as good as 
Miss Emily, I should be satisfied.” 

“ Ah, Whitney, I am afraid, considering 
all the advantages Miss Emily has en- 
joyed, that she is not so far superior to 
other girls of her age ; indeed, I imagine 
there are some, even in our small village 
here, who can write as well and sew much 
better than Miss Emily.” 

“ Her health has been so delicate, 
ma’am! I am sure she is good as she 
can be.” 

“ She is, I believe, a real good child ; 
her wishes ever yield to mine without the 
slightest murmur.” 

“I fancy this Peggy Wells might take 
example from Miss Emily; the mother 
admitted her girl was rather w T ilful ; and 
making allowance for a mother’s partial- 
ity, I suppose this means very wilful.” 

“ Then it is useless to think any more 
about such a girl.” 





























CHAPTER III. 



AMMA, I 
have just set- 
tled with 
Susan re- 
garding Mbs 
Isabe 11 a’s 
socks ; and 


6 1 just returned, ma’am, to say that if 
you like, I would eat my dinner at once, 
and then go to this Peggy’s again.” 

“But you have so many preparations 
to make against our departure to-morrow.” 

“ Yes, ma’am, there are several things 
that must be done ; yet I should like to 
have obtained you a girl, if possible, since 
I promised to find one.” 

“ But you cannot do impossibilities.” 

“ But perhaps this Peggy might do.” 

“ I doubt it, Whitney.” 

“It is very unquestionable, ma’am.” 



BOHEMIAN WAX-WING. 


% 



OK, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

“Well, no great loss in such a girl, 
Whitney; Mace must look about for 
another.’* 

“ Indeed ma’am, I will not say the girl 
has behaved right in this matter, but my 
Aunt, as well as her own parents, and the 
mistress, gave her a high character for 
quickness and industry; though they did 
say she required a tight hand over her : 
but for that matter, both boys and girls 
require to be well minded.” 

“ Pray Susan,” said Mrs. Fry, suddenly 
turning towards our young friend : “ Do 
you know any thing about this Peggy 
Wells ? I suppose you do.” 

Poor Susan had been greedily devouring 
every syllable uttered concerning her play- 
mate; young as she was, she could fully 
understand that it would be a fortunate 
thing for Peggy to obtain employment at 
the Hall : and she was waiting in breathless 
anxiety for Mrs. Fry’s decision, as to 
whether she would think of Peggy — whose 
mother had promised Whitney to bring her 
after their dinner — or whether Mace was to 


AVOID temptation; 


be directed to look for another, when the 
lady so suddenly addressed the question 
about Peggy. Conscious that she knew too 
much regarding Peggy’s movements the 
last two hours for the advantage of her 
friend, and afraid of being betrayed into 
confessions which might seriously injure her 
young companion, Susan colored to the 
temples, and hesitated to answer Mrs. Pry. 
Mrs. Pry at once detected poor Susan’s con- 
fusion, and, surprised and annoyed, she 
repeated her question in a severe tone of 
voice. “Do you know any thing about 
this Peggy Wells?” adding, “why do you 
not answer me, child ?” 

“ Please ma’am,” stammered out the 
frightened child, “ I do know Peggy.” 

“And do you know where she was this 
morning after she left school?” demanded 
Mrs. Pry quickly, for she felt from the 
child’s manner, there was some mystery 
with which Susan was acquainted, but 
which she was evidently unwilling to 
reveal. “ Speak child ; why hesitate as 
you do?’’ 


UR. SUSAN AND PUG GY. 

“ Please ma’am, I had rather not answer 
the question you asked just now,” cried 
Susan in a deprecating tone, determined to 
try if her questioner would be content with 
a similar answer to the one she frequently 
gave her parents, when they chanced to ask 
about any of the village children, who had 
got themselves into little scrapes : and quite 
unconscious, that though such a reply might 
satisfy her good father and mother, who had 
full confidence in their own child’s princi- 
ples, and who knew that her objection to 
speaking, wholly arose from a dislike to 
utter a syllable against others, the poor girl 
did not consider that a perfect stranger 
might not put so charitable a construction 
on her wish to keep silence; and that the 
course she pursued, might injure herself in 
the opinion of her kindly disposed question- 
er,' but was little likely to benefit the friend 
whose interests she had so much at heart. 

“ I am afraid there is something very 
wrong in all this,” said Mrs. Fry in a disap- 
pointed tone : “ I cannot understand why 
you cannot answer such a simple question,” 


AVOID temptation; 


and she began to think, that perhaps the 
account Susan had given of the absence of 
her own school-mistress, might be no more 
true than the business which had re- 
quired Peggy’s presence at home above 
an hour earlier than usual, and she 
grieved to think that one to whom she 
had suddenly taken a strong fancy, should 
be guilty of playing truant, or in any way 
of deceiving her friends. Still, she would 
not decide without further information a- 
gainst the honest-looking countenance before 
her, as, though her varying colour, her 
hesitation, and her now gathering tears, for 
poor Susan saw the looks of the whole party 
turned towards her with a kind of reproach- 
ful enquiry, amounted to reasonable cause 
for suspicion, they did not prove guilt. Mrs. 
Pry continued, 

“ Cannot you say whether Peggy is hon- 
est, industrious, and obedient ? ” 

“ Oh yes, ma’am, she is honest, and can 
work very well, and, and,” — 

“ And is not very obedient,” pursued 
Mrs Pry with a smile ; who remarked in 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

her own mind, on the readiness with which 
Susan answered the first two questions, but 
could not find words with which to parry 
the last. At this moment a servant entered 
to say that Mrs. Wells and her girl had 
arrived. 

“ Shew them in here at once, Stephen, 
and stay, Mace and Whithey, you have an 
interest in this business, as well as myself. 
We will try now, and unravel this mystery.” 
As she thus spoke, Mrs. Wells and Peggy 
appeared. 

Mrs. Wells, who had smothered her just 
indignation against her daughter, in order 
to get her made tidy, and to hurry her off to 
the Hall, now courtesied low to the ladies, 
and regretting much that Peggy had not 
been at home previously, said that she had 
now brought her to see Mrs. Pry ; but this 
lady insisted on an explanation of the busi- 
ness that had compelled Peggy’s leaving 
school so early that morning ; adding, she 
believed the little girl present, indicating by 
a gesture of her hand that she. meant Susan, 
knew all about it, but would not say, and 


AVOID TEMPTATION; 

she feared that neither of the girls could 
give a very creditable reason for their 
wanting to keep such a secret. 

Mrs. Wells, who, though a very violent, 
was a very truthful woman, and who was 
very fond of a child that had ever been more 
considerate to her than even her own daugh- 
ter, answered, “ Indeed, ma’am, Susan 
Hawthorne can have nothing bad to keep 
secret as respects herself ; there never exist- 
ed a better child, or a more dutiful daugh- 
ter, and I often wish my own Peggy were 
only half as good. But the fact is, ma’am, 
Peggy, here, acted very badly this morning, 
and I suppose Susan did not like to say 
anything that might hurt her companion ; 
and ma'am, I am happy to say, that whilst 
coming along here, my girl has promised me 
that she will try and follow the example of 
Susan Hawthorne : she cannot do better, I 
tell her.” 

“Oh yes, Mrs. Wells. Though Susan may 
be as good as you represent her to be, yet she 
cannot be perfect, and in pointing out an 
example to your child, why not point to the 





























V- - 


*V v M 







■ 

. 


* * 
















Susan reading to her Mother. 




OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


example of Christ, whose whole history 
displays on© unparalleled and uninter- 
rupted submission to the will of God.” 

“ I often tell my girl, ma’am, that if she 
would read her Bible more frequently 
than she does, she might be a better child ; 
but though she sees Susan reading chap- 
ter after chapter to her mother, Peggy 
never feels disposed to spend even a small 
portion of her time in the same praise- 
worthy manner.” 

“ It wjould be useless for your girl to 
read her Bible, unless she studied to obey 
its instructions. Peggy, in that precious 
volume you would find the means of cor- 
recting those evil habits which already 
seem to have made you their slave ! but 
its mere perusal would not avail you ; its 
precepts must be obeyed, not only in the 
letter, but likewise in the spirit. Would 
you strive to lead a course of life useful 
to yourself and pleasing to your heavenly 
Father, begin and end every day with 
God. Kemember, he who serves God, 
has the best master in the world ; and, re- 


AVOID temptation; 


member farther, that all bad habits are 
more easily conquered to-day than to-mor- 
row ! Read your Bible daily ; the truths 
you find contained in it, lay up in your 
heart ; and when you are tempted to do a 
wrong action, you must consider that 
though your earthly parents may not see 
nor know it, yet the Almighty Father — 
the God of heaven and earth, is ever near 
you, and always has His eye upon you. 
He sees you wherever you are, by night 
as well as by day ; and knows your every 
thought, word, and action. He will 
punish you if you do ill ; and reward you 
if you do well. By forgetting or neglect- 
ing God, our very virtues are without 
profit ! They will not obtain us the bless- 
ing of Heaven. Let me again urge you, 
Peggy, to make the Bible your study ; 
make the sermon on the Mount your own ; 
in its divine precepts you will find the 
rule of life which leads to salvation. 
When I advise your mother to quote a 
more perfect example than that of Susan, 
I would be understood as pointing to the 


OH, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

only perfect One that has ever existed in 
this world of sin ? Our Blessed Saviour’s 
example is the pattern we should try to 
follow. This is our only safe course. ,, 

“Yes ma’am, but Susan is indeed an 
excellent girl, and I do wish I could say 
with truth, that my own daughter resembled 
her. Often when I am late at work, and 
Peggy is idling instead of minding her 
business, will Susan leave her knitting, or 
her play, and come over and prepare my 
Dick’s supper for him, on his return from 
folding his sheep ; whilst she frequently takes 
care of little Georgie, and wraps him up in 
her shawl at evenings when damp or cold ; 
were it not for Susan’s good nature in this 
respect, I should frequently be obliged to 
decline a day’s work, for I should not like 
to leave my boys to be neglected ; and 
Peggy is more careless than Susan.” 

“At least, my good woman, you are sin- 
cere; but Peggy, just speak out plainly, 
and tell me where you were this morning 
when my servant called at the school.” 

There was nothing left for it, but that 


AVOID TEMPTATION; 

Peggy should confess the fault she had com- 
mitted, though more than once her shame 
and her tears so far impeded her utterance, 
that Mrs. Pry was obliged by kind but 
decided questions, to draw out her confes- 
sion. At length she stopped, and her 
mother, mortified and grieved, pleaded that 
perhaps both she and her husband had 
occasionally been too severe with Peggy, 
and so, from over anxiety, driven her to 
deceive them ; but Mrs. Fry answered im- 
mediately, “No, no, Mrs. Wells, a parent’s 
severity does not justify falsehood. Severity, 
though it is frequently more injurious than in- 
judicious lenity, does not justify falsehood.” 
But turning again to Peggy, she asked her, 
“Have you nothing more to say?” “No- 
thing ma’am,” answered Peggy, scarcely 
able to articulate for her sobs, “ excepting, 
that had I minded Susan, I should have 
told mother all, before ever I came to the 
Hall. She would not come with me, be- 
cause her own mother had forbidden her to 
leave till her return and here poor Peggy 
did ample justice to her playmate; for she 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

dearly loved her, though she had never yet 
followed her example. 

Mrs. Fry continued in a friendly tone : 
“ Peggy, Susan acted rightly. How much 
happier should we all be, if, when tempted, 
we could steadfastly resist.” 

“ Indeed ma’am, I will never again tempt 
Susan, or any one else, to what is wrong 
said Peggy, eagerly. 

“ Say rather,” responded Mrs. Fry, “I will 
pray God to enable me not to do it : Peggy, 
you can do nothing good, but through the 
help of the Holy Spirit, which God will 
give to all those who sincerely ask for it. 
God wills that every being He has made, 
should know and acknowledge that He has 
a right to govern and command them; and 
that it is best he should command them. 
Moreover, if they do not obey his command- 
ments, he will punish them for their dis- 
obedience. And do you not know Peggy, 
that one of the commandments of God, 
expressly declares — thou shalt honor thy 
father and thy mother V 9 

“Yes ma’am,” said Peggy, “it is the fifth; 


AVOID temptation; 


and in future, I will try to obey it better.’' 

“ Do so ; parents must govern ; children 
must obey; or there will inevitably be 
misery in every household. I have myself 
known instances, in which one disobedient 
child has destroyed the peace of a whole 
family, nor stopped in its wicked career, 
until it had brought down the grey heads of 
its parents to the grave, in bitter sorrow.” 

“Indeed, ma’am, my parents shall not 
owe their deaths to an undutiful daughter.” 

“ Remember, temptations of many kinds 
beset your path daily and hourly. Satan 
was once good, but he fell, and others with 
him ; they were consequently cast down out 
of heaven.” 

“ Satan was a tempter. He is a tempt- 
er still. Avoid him and his wicked follow- 
ers. Whoever tempts you to evil, is a fol- 
lower of Satan. When you, Peggy, this 
morning tempted your companion to dis- 
obey her mother, you were, at the time, like 
Satan, and one of his followers ! ” 

To this appeal, Peggy could only answer 
by sobs for some minutes ; at length she 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


composed herself sufficiently to stammer out 
in almost unintelligible words : 

“ Indeed, ma’am, I did not think it was 
so wicked to ask Susan to come with me.” 

“ I believe you, Peggy. You and others 
do not think, that when you do wrong, you 
are like Satan, but there are many ways 
in which you become his followers ; when 
you feel angry with your playfellows ; when 
you feel discontented; when you have wrong 
feelings towards your parents and teachers ; 
when you feel unwilling to submit to their 
orders and wishes. When you covet the 
possessions of other people. When you are 
guilty of any of these faults, and of many 
others I have not time to mention, you be- 
come a follower of Satan ! For your Heav- 
enly father forbids you to encourage such 
feelings, and in disobeying Him, you fight 
against His government , and become what 
Satan is — a rebel against your Create^ 

“Henceforth, Peggy, never tempt any one 
to do evil, not even in the least trifle ; if 
you persuade a person to do, what you know 
they should not do, you are equally culpa- 


AVOID temptation; 


ble, you are equally a follower of the Bad 
Spirit, whether the error you have caused 
your victim to commit be great or small. 
To tempt to evil is to resemble Satan ! You, 
child, may have begun thoughtlessly , and in 
trifles ; but tremble, yes tremble, lest you 
become more like him, and end by wilfully 
tempting your intended victims to eternal 
destruction ! My child, pray to your heaven- 
ly Father earnestly and hourly, that he will 
vouchsafe to preserve you from following in 
the steps of the enemy of mankind.” 

“And now, Mace,” continued Mrs. Fry, 
“it must be late ; and I require some short 
time to decide on what to do respecting 
Peggy’s coming here. I think Mrs. Wells 
had better return home : you can take the 
girls with you ; and when they have had a 
little refreshment, you can bring them to 
me again.” 

As soon as Mrs. Fry was left alone with 
her two daughters, Emily took her mother’s 
hand, and with tears in her eyes, begged 
her mother to forgive Peggy. 

“Indeed mamma,” she pleaded, “she 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

is not so bad as that little Scotch boy used 
to be ; you know he had stolen things 
several times, he had even stolen money 
from his father ! and yet, mamma, he has 
turned out well.” 

“ True, my dear ; but there is a differ- 
ence between the two cases which ought 
to be taken into consideration ; this girl 
has a comfortable home, good parents, 
and has had the opportunity of receiving 
useful instruction at an excellent school; 
poor Gilbert, on the contrary, had not a 
bed to sleep on ; of his deceased mother 
he had no recollection, whilst his father 
neglected him ; and as for instruction, he 
had never been inside a school or a church ! 
For all the information he had obtained, 
he was indebted to the idle and the 
vicious. The streets of London were 
his only homey 

“ But, mamma, Peggy does not appear 
to have a very comfortable home ; nor do 
her parents seem as good as Susan’s.” 

“ Peggy is mainly in fault herself. Her 
parents have weakly indulged her; but 


90 


AVOID temptation; 


from what I hear, this indulgence appears 
to have been the effect of mistaken affec- 
tion ; hence, I am afraid the girl’s un- 
dutiful behaviour bespeaks an ungrateful 
heart ; the constant wranglings occasioned 
by Peggy’s misconduct makes an uncom- 
fortable home ; but this state of affairs 
cannot be compared to the miserable ex- 
istence led by little Gilbert, till his fortu- 
nate removal here.” 

“Yet, mamma, since he improved so 
rapidly, may not this girl do so likewise ?” 

“ That is not so certain, Emily. But 
be easy, my dear child, I will give this 
Peggy Wells a fair trial; for her compa- 
nion I have taken a great fancy. Susan 
Hawthorne is a child any mother might 
be proud to own ; so modest, so affection- 
ate, so high principled, she would prove a 
blessing to a parent in any situation in 
life. Indeed, I should like to see her 
mother; perhaps, I will go there now; 
your papa, I see, is coming across the 
lawn ; we will meet him, Emily. Louisa, 
dear, we shall not be long.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


H |§ ^ Amma, I have 

thirty - three 
shillings of 
my own ; 
may I not 
give them to 
Susan for her 

father s benefit.” 

“ Of course, my dear, you can do so if 
you like ; but if you ask my opinion on 
the subject, I should advise your not 
taking the father’s interests out of his 
little daughter’s hands.” 

“ 1 will be guided by you, dear mamma ; 
yet I should like to have done something 
for the good of this worthy family.” 

“ Again, I say, you can do with your 
own as you wish ; but I think it would be 
a pity to do anything which might damp 
the efforts of this affectionate child.” 



AVOID temptation; 


“ I do not want to spend my money on 
useless trifles ; but we have nearly got up 
to papa. I should like to know what he 
would advise?” 

“ Well, you can ask his opinion when 
we reach him.” 

“ I will do so. . . Papa, what had I better 
do with some thirty-three shillings I have 
been hoarding up till I should find some 
desirable way of employing it ?” 

“ I have just heard of a little boy in 
this neighborhood who has met with a most 
disastrous accident; he was running a 
race, when his foot slipped, and he fell at 
the moment that a heavy cart, drawn by 
a powerful runaway horse, passed over 
the very spot where poor Mark Stanley 
had fallen ; both legs were broken.” 

“ Poor fellow ; but where does he live, 
papa ?” 

“He resides with an aunt — a Mrs. 
Ruthven.” 

“ Papa, will he lose his legs ?” 

“No, Emily; there is no fear of that 
Mark is so patient, that Dr. Peat says he 



% 


* 








t 'i 


. 










!« - v( n \>ut * 




OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


will ultimately recover, unless some un- 
expected change takes place ; in the mean 
time, the noble boy is in great distress of 
mind. 

“ It seems, that Mark’s worldly wealth 
consists chiefly in his energy. There are 
several poor families whose necessities are 
supplied by this spirited boy — living with 
an aunt who is not over-burdened with 
money ; Mark has hit upon a plan of his 
own to help his poorer neighbors, without 
drawing on the slender means of his kind 
relative. He devotes all his spare time 
to collecting moneys for several parties 
living in the village, and who being well 
acquainted with the lad’s object, are quite 
willing to give him a helping hand.” 

“ And, papa, how old is Mark ?” 

“ Twelve years of age, Emily ?” 

“ And does he make much by collect- 
ing, dear papa ?” 

“ Much for a boy so young.” 

“And why is he now so distressed in 
mind, papa ?” 

“ He is ?ww unable to help the poor.” 


AVOID TEMPTATION 


“ But that is not his fault !” 

“No, Emily; yet he considers it a 
great misfortune. ,> 

“I do not see how the evil can be 
remedied ?” 

“I see only one way, my dear; that 
those Mark has hitherto aided, should 
receive assistance from other parties ; this 
plan would satisfy the generous-hearted 
boy; and it might also enable such as 
yourself, Miss Emily, to get rid of any 
surplus money they may happen to 
possess.” 

“I understand; you would have my 
thirty-three shillings spent in this manner, 
dear papa ?” 

“It would be a consolation to poor 
Mark” 

“ Then, papa, he shall have them.” 

“ He will be delighted.” 

> “ When will you send them ?” 

“ I am not certain. It depends on when 
I can see Mrs. Hawthorne.” 

“ But if we go to-morrow ?” 

“ Oh, he shall have them ere we go.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“ The remembrance of all the good he 
has done, should be a comfort to him !” 

“It would, dear, were it not that those 
who have been in the habit of looking to 
him for some little support, are now in 
want ; for you seem to forget, dear Emily, 
that, crippled as he is, it is quite out of his 
power to collect money. ,, 

“ True, true ; but papa, how could I 
help these poor people ? In the first 
place, I do not know where they live ; 
and in the second place, as we go away 
to-morrow, I should not be able to visit 
them, even if I could ascertain their place 
of abode. I — I might send them the 
money! I did not think of that plan 
before.” 

“Nor is it one that would quite meet 
the case. Alms given in that way might 
answer well enough in some cases, but 
not under present circumstances ; for I 
, imagine, that more than one of the par- 
ties concerned, are in that situation in 
life that their delicacy would be deeply 
wounded, were they thus to have charity 


avoid temptation; 


thrust on them, as it were, at the instance 
of a stranger.” 

“ Then, dear papa, what can I do ?” 

“ Send your spare money to Mark ?” 

“ But what can he do with it in his 
present state, dear papa ?” 

“ Continue to disburse his charities as 
he did before ; only formerly, he provided 
the means himself; now they would be 
provided for him by others; whilst the 
objects of his bounty could receive their 
little portions as heretofore, from their 
youthful benefactor.” 

“ Papa, I will send him my thirty-three 
shillings, if you will kindly have it con- 
veyed to him.” 

“ I will send it him through the person 
who told me of the accident.” 

“ Who was that, my dear ?” 

“ A person named Hawthorne.” 

“ The very person we wish to go and 
see!” 

“ Ah, what may you have to do with 
her?” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“ Something about a girl to help Mace, 
during our absence.” 

“ I have only just come from her cot- 
tage ; but I do not think you will find her 
at home, she told me she was going to see 
a sick neighbor ; and, indeed, she had her 
bonnet on when I came away.” 

“ Had I known you were there, I would 
not have waited the last half hour for 
your return, but would have joined you 
at Mrs. Hawthorne’s ; howver, we may as 
well go home again, after what you tell 
us. But let me ask you, why did you go 
to the good woman’s cottage ?” 

“To speak to her husband, regarding 
work.” 

“And, papa, what made his wife tell 
you about young Stanley ?” 

“ She had just seen his aunt, who had 
been to ask Mrs. Hawthorne to let her 
little girl go and sit with Mark. It seems, 
Siisan Hawthorne is a very nice child.” 

“ The very girl I want to speak to her 
mother about ; but yet I should not have 


AVOID TEMPTATION* 


thought the family had been on terms of 
intimacy with Mrs. Hawthorne.” 

“ Perhaps not ; but excellence is always 
sought after, and several parties have 
spoken to me most highly of this family, 
and particularly of the daughter, whose 
reputation, young as she is, appears to 
stand very high among all her neighbors.” 

“Papa, what do you mean by neigh- 
bors ?” 

“In speaking of this young girl, I 
meant to say, that all who know any 
thing about her, have the highest opinion 
of her character. In the common accept- 
ance of the word, neighbor is supposed to 
designate those who reside near each 
other ; its scriptural interpretation applies 
the term to all persons whose position 
may require, or whose situation enables 
them to render any of the kindly offices 
so strongly inculcated by our Divine 
Master.” 

“ Then, papa, Mark is my neighbor T 

“ He is ; he requires your aid.” 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“And Susan Hawthorne is his neigh- 
bor ?” 

“ Yes ; for by reading to him, as Mrs. 
Ruthven requested her mother she might 
do, she will do him a service .” 

“ But, papa, if all we benefit, or from 
whom we receive benefits are our neigh- 
bors; then, people living in far distant 
countries, may be neighbors to each other ?” 

“Certainly; and in most cases, every 
kind deed, every kind word, tends to 
strengthen the bond of sympathy between 
nations, no less than between individuals.” 

“ Then, surely, it is wrong to speak of 
foreigners, as though they were not made 
of the same flesh and blood as ourselves 1” 

“Very wrong, indeed, Emily; it is a 
prejudice most commonly founded on ig- 
norance ; persons who have travelled 
much, either personally or in their library, 
are in their views more liberal; they 
Jcn&w that the virtues and the vices of 
mankind, are confined to no particular 
nation.” 


AVOID temptation; 


“Papa, what do you mean by a per- 
son’s travelling in their library ? such a 
strange place to travel in !” 

“ If you read a good book of travels, it 
frequently gives more solid information 
than you could possibly obtain from a 
journey; unless it should be taken in a 
far more rational way than is usual with 
most of our tourists.” 

“ How so, dear papa ?” 

“They travel too rapidly in many 
cases.” 

“ Papa, am I too young to read 
travels ?” 

“ Not in the least, my dear; there may 
always something be found in a book of 
travels to interest a child. 



A 











Susan’s Bullfinch. 










CHAPTER V. 



OUISA, we 
had a delight- 


pgk ful walk, I wish 

you had not 
been too much 


f fatigued to 
: have accompa- 
nied us; have 


you heard any thing of Mrs. Mace and 
her two young charges V 

“ No, Emily; beyond seeing them in the 
distance walking towards the dairy and 
poultry yard.” 

“ I like that little Susan ! but poor 
Peggy — I cannot help pitying her, Louisa.” 

“ I hope mamma will do something for 
her. Hah! here is mamma; I was just 
speaking of you and that little Peggy.” 

“ I am afraid she will prove trouble- 
some.” 

“ But, dear mamma, really the poor girl 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 

appears so grieved and repentant, that I do 
believe, she will never again be so naughty 
as she has been : do, please, dear mamma, 
just try her for once.” 

“ I am willing my dear Emily to try her, 
but she seems to me a thoughtless girl; 
and I think I should best serve her, by not 
doing for her at once, all I had originally 
intended, and thus, let her future advance- 
ment, depend on her good conduct. Besides, 
I w r ish to reward Susan, in some degree.” 

“ Of course, dear mamma, you must be 
the best judge of what is right; I was 
wrong to want to interfere: pursued the 
warm-hearted Emily.” 

“ Never wrong, my dear, to confide your 
wishes and opinions to your own mother, 
so long as you are willing to yield both, to 
her more experienced judgment. I will 
now tell you what I intend regarding these 
two girls,, and Louisa and you can tell me 
if you think of any better plan. Instead 
of Peggy’s coming daily for a couple of 
hours morning and evening, I advise ^hat 
Susan comes half the time; when Mace 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 


can judge of their characters and abilities. 
On our return from the Continent next 
spring, the Hall will be crowded with visit- 
ors, when we shall require help for the 
servants, and if Mace finds them obedient, 
and willing to learn, we can take them into 
the house for what they can do; not much, 
perhaps, but I should like Susan about you, 
Emily, hereafter; and I think Peggy has 
good points in her character, which might 
be turned to valuable account, if properly 
directed. Do you agree?” 

“Yes, mamma;” answered both hex 
daughters: “and what wages will Mace 
give them?” 

“Why, Emily, their wages cannot be 
very high at first ; ninepence a week each, 
will suffice till our return, afterwards, we 
must pay them more. I hope, one of these 
days, to see Susan your maid ; and I think 
Peggy may replace our third housemaid, 
when Julia marries, which she will do at 
the end of two years and a half. However, 
for the next few months, Susan will have 
secured an additional nine-pence per week. 


OR, SUSAN AND PEGGY. 


“ Oh, thanks, mamma. How happy Su- 
san will be : and indeed, I shall so like to 
have her for my maid some day ; but mam- 
ma, when shall I be old enough to have a 
maid, — soon ? ” 

“ You are now thirteen ; and five years 
hence, will be soon enough for you to have 
a maid of your own, my dear. In the mean 
while, Susan can be instructed in a few of 
her future duties, and on our return from 
abroad, you yourself can teach her more 
reading and writing than she is likely to 
obtain otherwise.” 

On Mace’s return to her mistress with 
the girls, they were told of this. It was far 
better as respected Peggy, than she could 
have possibly expected, and she promised to 
prove her gratitude, by a complete change of 
conduct — a promise, I am glad to say, she 
faithfully kept ; for she prayed for the Holy 
Spirit, to enable her to do it. 

Susan was overwhelmed with joy, on find- 
ing herself put in a fair way, not only of 
obtaining the trowsers for her father, but 
also a new gown for her dear mother ! And 


AVOID TEMPTATION. 


then, when servant at the Hall, what would 
she not buy in the way of comforts for her 
parents ? How she rejoiced, that, though 
she had been tempted to disobedience by 
Peggy, she had resisted the tempation. Had 
she yielded, not only would she have dis- 
pleased the best of parents, and offended 
God ; but in all probability, she would not 
have entered the service of Mrs. Fry. Both 
she and Peggy proved excellent servants. 
Susan assisted her young friend, and en- 
deavoured to keep Peggy in the path of vir- 
tue. They never, willingly , placed them- 
selves in the way of temptation ; and when 
tempted, by earnest prayer to God, were 
frequently enabled to avoid the tempter’s 
snare. 
















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